Nationwide — Three former Memphis police officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith — have been acquitted of all state charges tied to the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols. A Tennessee jury found them not guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and official misconduct. A judge ordered their immediate release after the verdict.
Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who worked at FedEx and dreamed of becoming a photographer, died three days after a violent traffic stop on January 7, 2023. Police pulled him over for suspected reckless driving.
Body camera footage showed officers dragging him from his car, using pepper spray and a Taser, and chasing him on foot. When they caught up, they beat him severely. Nichols was heard crying out for his mother during the assault.
According to NBC News, prosecutors argued that the force used was excessive and unjustified. A police training officer testified that the actions were “unnecessary.” The prosecution also pointed to a known pattern in law enforcement called the “run tax” — where officers punish suspects who attempt to flee.
Despite video evidence and expert testimony, the jury cleared the three men on all charges. The officers had already been convicted in a separate federal case related to the same incident.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said he was disappointed and believed the prosecution presented strong evidence. Lawyers for Nichols’ family called the verdict a “devastating miscarriage of justice.” Civil rights groups echoed those concerns and called again for national police reform.
Nichols’ death sparked nationwide protests and brought renewed attention to police brutality. His parents were later invited to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, where the push for accountability continued.