Three former Memphis police officers were acquitted Wednesday of multiple charges, including second-degree murder, in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols after he tried to flee a traffic stop. The tragedy sparked protests across the country and renewed attention to the need for police reform in the United States.
Jurors, who were said to be all white, spent just over eight hours over two days to find Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith not guilty of all charges after a nine-day trial in Memphis state court.
After the verdict was announced, jurors hugged their lawyers and family members of the former officers burst into tears. One relative exclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus.”
The three defendants could still spend several years in prison after they were convicted of federal charges last year, although they were then acquitted of more serious charges.
Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, attempted to flee the scene after being pulled from his vehicle, pepper sprayed and tased.
Five police officers, who were also black, chased him and began punching, kicking and hitting Mr. Nichols with a baton, trying to handcuff him as he called out for his mother, just steps from his home.
Tyre Nichols died on January 10, 2023, three days after the beating, and the incident has put the majority of Memphis police in the black city under intense scrutiny.
Footage from cameras mounted on police cars shows officers standing around, talking and laughing as Mr Nichols resists.
Human rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Nichols' family, released a statement expressing his outrage at the verdict.
“Today’s decisions represent a catastrophic failure of the justice system,” the statement said. “The entire world witnessed Tyre Nichols being murdered by those sworn to protect and serve.”
Memphis District Attorney Steve Mulroy said he respected the jury but believed the evidence presented by prosecutors was sufficient for each charge.
He said he had spoken briefly to Nichols' family and “they were devastated… I think they were outraged, and we can understand why they were outraged given the evidence.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
