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Three Memphis police officers convicted in Tyre Nichols beating but cleared of major civil rights charges

By Austin Williams
Published  October 3, 2024 4:05pm PDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX TV Digital Team

Tyre Nichols case: 5 former Memphis officers federally indicted

The family of Tyre Nichols and attorney Ben Crump held a press conference hours after a federal indictment was announced for all five former Memphis Police officers who are charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols. If convicted of two of the federal charges, the officers could face the death penalty. More LiveNOW from FOX streaming video

The Brief:

    • Three former Memphis police officers were convicted of witness tampering in the 2023 beating of Tyre Nichols but were acquitted of the most severe civil rights charges.
    • Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith were cleared of civil rights violations, while Demetrius Haley was found guilty of a lesser civil rights charge.
    • The officers face up to 20 years in prison for witness tampering, while the civil rights conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years.

The jury reached a mixed verdict Thursday for three former Memphis police officers involved in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. The officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—were convicted of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the brutal beating but were acquitted of the most severe civil rights charges they faced.

Haley was found guilty of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing bodily injury, while Bean and Smith were acquitted of all civil rights charges. The three officers, who had been fired from the Memphis Police Department, were taken into custody immediately after the verdicts were read.

What were the charges and sentences?

The three officers faced charges related to Nichols' death, which included excessive use of force, failure to intervene, and witness tampering. While they were acquitted of the more severe charges related to civil rights violations causing death, they were convicted of tampering with evidence during the investigation of Nichols’ beating.

The witness tampering conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while Haley’s conviction for causing bodily injury in violation of Nichols' civil rights carries up to 10 years. If convicted of the harshest charges, the officers could have faced life sentences.

 A photo of Tyre Nichols is positioned prior to a press conference on January 27, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

What did Tyre Nichols' family say?

Nichols' stepfather, Rodney Wells, expressed some relief outside the courtroom, stating, "A win is a win. They’re all going to jail." Wells has been a prominent voice calling for justice since Nichols’ death in January 2023.

What happened during the beating of Tyre Nichols?

The beating occurred after Nichols fled from a traffic stop. Prosecutors argued that the five officers, who were part of the now-disbanded Scorpion Unit, inflicted a "run tax" on Nichols for running. In footage shown to the jury, Nichols was pepper-sprayed, tased, and then brutally beaten, including punches, kicks, and blows from a police baton, while he cried out for his mother. Nichols died three days later from brain injuries caused by the beating.

What’s next for the officers?

A court hearing is scheduled for Monday to determine if the officers will be released pending sentencing. While federal sentencing is yet to be determined, the three officers, along with two others who pleaded guilty, also face second-degree murder charges in state court, where trials are still pending.

The Source:
This article was written based on reporting from the Associated Press and details from the Tyre Nichols federal civil rights trial, with information from court proceedings, autopsy reports, and analysis from legal experts. This story was reported from Los Angeles.