Memphis lawmakers expressed their “devastation” Wednesday at an out-of-town jury’s verdict finding three former Memphis police officers not guilty in the death of Tyre Nichols.
Nichols, 29, died in 2023 after police beat him during a traffic stop.
The jury found three former officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith — not guilty of all charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. They deliberated for about nine hours following a 10-day trial.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Tennessee House Democratic Leader Karen Camper said the verdict leaves a “deep wound in our community and renewed calls for justice and accountability.”
“It is particularly troubling that an all-white jury from Hamilton County was brought into Shelby County to hear this case — a decision that distanced the proceedings from the very community most impacted by this tragedy,” Camper said. “That move has understandably raised concerns about fairness and trust in the legal process.”
Nichols had run from the scene of the traffic stop after being pepper-sprayed. Police body cameras and surveillance footage captured police striking and kicking Nichols, restraining him and taking him into custody.
Nichols died three days later due to blunt force trauma to the head, according to his autopsy. Investigators at the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center ruled Nichols’ death a homicide.
In total, five officers were fired from the Memphis Police Department for their roles in Nichols’ death. Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations in 2024, and reportedly intend to plead guilty to state charges as well.
Bean, Haley and Smith were convicted in federal court of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Haley was also found guilty of violating Nichols’ civil rights. They have yet to be sentenced.
Shelby County Legislative Delegation Chairman Rep. Torrey Harris said Wednesday that “‘liberty and justice for all’ proved to be empty words on a paper.”
“Today’s verdict does not change the fact all are facing considerable time in prison,” Harris said. “For those who watched the video and were sickened by the savage beating of Mr. Nichols, we all must remember that our faith — or lack thereof — in the system has been justified. Justice is still being served federally and today’s verdict does nothing to change that.”
Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a Memphis Democrat, wrote, “all I can think about is the family of Tyre Nichols and how incredibly heartbreaking this must be for them. A truly unfathomable pain.”
State Sens. Raumesh Akbari and London Lamar, both Memphis Democrats, issued statements conveying their heartbreak and anger.
“My heart is with Tyre’s family and everyone in our community carrying the weight of this painful outcome,” Lamar stated. “More than ever, Memphis — and communities across our state — need police officers who protect and serve, not intimidate and harm.”
Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who have represented Nichols’ parents, called the verdicts “a devastating miscarriage of justice.”
“The world watched as Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by those sworn to protect and serve. That brutal, inhumane assault was captured on video, yet the officers responsible were acquitted,” Crump and Romanucci stated.
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Author: Cassandra Stephenson
Cassandra Stephenson covers issues impacting rural West Tennessee as a Report for America corps member at The Tennessee Lookout.
This article was originally published on Tennessee Lookout under a Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0. Learn more about third-party content on ZanyProgressive.com.
