Five former Memphis police officers have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges over the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith made their first court appearances with their lawyers before a judge in Shelby County Criminal Court.
The officers were fired after an internal police investigation into the January 7 arrest of Mr Nichols, who died in hospital three days later.
The officers pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. They are all free on bond and their next hearing has been scheduled for May 1.
Addressing the courtroom, Judge James Jones Jr asked for everyone’s “continued patience” and “continued civility”, stressing that “this case can take some time”.
“We understand that there may be some high emotions in this case, but we ask that you continue to be patient with us,” Judge Jones said. “Everyone involved wants this case to be concluded as quickly as possible. But it’s important for you all to understand that the state of Tennessee, as well as each one of these defendants, have an absolute right to a fair trial.”
Blake Ballin, the attorney for Mills, said the process must be “based on the facts and the law, and not the raw emotions that our country is experiencing”. The public should be patient and cautious in judging his client, he said.
“Justice for Mr Nichols will not be achieved at the expense of justice for Mr Mills,” Mr Ballin said.
Mr Nichols’ mother RowVaughn Wells and stepfather Rodney Wells were in court along with their lawyer Ben Crump.
At a news conference after the hearing, Ms Wells said that the officers did not have the courage to look her in the eye, but that “they’re going to see me at every court date — every one — until we get justice for my son”.
“I feel very numb right now,” Ms Wells said. “And I’m waiting for this nightmare basically that I’m going through right now, I’m waiting for somebody to wake me up. I know that’s not going to happen.”
Mr Nichols’ death was the latest police killing to prompt nationwide protests and renew an intense public discussion about police brutality. Mr Nichols, 29, was black. All five officers charged in his death also are black.
Mr Nichols was stopped for an alleged traffic violation and pulled out of his car by officers who swore, with at least one brandishing a gun, records showed. An officer hit Mr Nichols with a stun gun but Mr Nichols ran away towards his nearby home, according to video released by the city.
Officers, who were part of a crime-suppression team known as the Scorpion unit caught up with Mr Nichols and punched, kicked and hit him with a baton as he yelled for his mother.
After the beating, officers stood by and talked to one another as Mr Nichols struggled with his injuries on the ground, video showed. One officer took photos of Mr Nichols as he was propped up against an unmarked police car, according to video and records.
Mr Nichols was taken to a hospital in an ambulance that left the scene of the beating 27 minutes after emergency medical technicians arrived, authorities said.
Police said Mr Nichols had been suspected of reckless driving but no verified evidence of a traffic violation has emerged in public documents or in video images. Memphis Police director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis has said she has seen no evidence justifying the stop or the officers’ response.
She disbanded the Scorpion unit, which she created in November 2021, after Mr Nichols’ death.
One other white officer who was involved in the initial traffic stop has been sacked. An additional officer who has not been identified has been suspended.
Three Memphis Fire Department employees who were present at the site of the arrest have also been sacked. Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies who were also there have been suspended without pay for violations including failing to keep their body cameras on.
Mr Nichols’ family, their lawyers, community leaders and activists have called for changes within the Police Department on issues related to traffic stops, use of force, transparency and other policies.
Some of the relatives and lawyers have praised Ms Davis and the department for the swiftness of their response and said it should be the standard for other investigations into police brutality.
