A Tennessee jury acquitted three former Memphis police officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—of all state charges related to the beating death of Tyre Nichols, which occurred two years ago and ignited nationwide protests. The jury found the officers not guilty of second-degree murder and various other charges, and Judge James Jones Jr. ordered their immediate release, prompting emotional reactions in the courtroom.
Tyre Nichols, a FedEx employee and aspiring photographer, was pulled over for alleged reckless driving on January 7, 2023. The encounter escalated quickly; an officer screamed at Nichols to exit his car, to which he protested, “I didn’t do anything.” After fleeing on foot towards his mother’s house, he was caught by the officers, who subsequently used pepper spray and a Taser on him. Incidents captured on body camera footage revealed officers beating and kicking Nichols, who cried out for his mother during the assault.
Testimony from a police training officer labeled the officers’ actions as “unnecessary” and “excessive,” referencing a troubling practice in law enforcement known as the “street tax,” where fleeing suspects are subjected to additional punishment. Nichols succumbed to his injuries three days later, prompting widespread outrage over police brutality. His death led to significant protests, and his parents were invited to the White House for President Biden’s State of the Union address shortly thereafter. The situation remains dynamic, with further updates anticipated.
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