5 Memphis police officers plead not guilty in the death of Tyre Nichols
The five Memphis cops charged with brutally murdering Tyre Nichols pleaded not guilty on Friday, as they were watched on by Nichols’ grieving mom and stepdad.
The since-fired officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith — appeared in Shelby County Criminal Court for their first appearance since the disturbing caught-on-camera beating last month during a seemingly bogus traffic stop.
All five pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, wore all black as she attended the hearing with her husband, Nichols’ stepdad Rodney Wells.
“I am numb, just numb as I can be right now,” the mom said as she walked into court holding the hand of her attorney, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
“They need to see my face,” she said of the five fired cops accused of murdering her 29-year-old son.
After entering their not-guilty pleas, the five former cops were again freed on bond ahead of their next hearing scheduled for May 1.
“Understand that despite everyone’s best effort, this case may take some time,” Judge James Jones Jr. told the officers. “Be patient. Work with your attorneys.”
He also appealed to those in the public gallery — including Nichols’ family — to show “continued patience” and civility
“We understand that there may be some high emotions in this case,” he said, stressing that the accused cops “have an absolute right to a fair trial.”
“And I will not allow for any behavior that could jeopardize that right.”
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy confirmed to CNN Friday that his office is still considering further charges in the shocking case.
“We are looking at everybody who was involved directly or indirectly in the death of Tyre Nichols,” he said.
“That includes officer [Presyton] Hemphill,” he said of the ex-cop who was also fired, but so far not charged.
“And that includes people who showed up after the beating had concluded,” he said of the 27-minute delay in getting the badly beaten dad to a hospital after emergency medical technicians arrived.
Memphis’ own top cop has conceded that there appears to have been no justification for Nichols to have even been pulled over on Jan. 7 as he drove just a few blocks from home.
Read more of The Post’s coverage of Tyre Nichols’ beating death
- Seventh Memphis police officer punished in Tyre Nichols’ death
- Memphis cop charged in Tyre Nichols’ death previously beat up inmate, ex-prisoner alleges
The avid skateboarder died in a local hospital three days later. But the case sparked national outrage — and widespread protests — after bodycam footage was released late last month.
It showed him being Tased, pepper sprayed, punched, kicked and beaten with batons as he repeatedly begged for help.
It also captured his heartbreaking cries of, “Mom!”
After the beating, officers stood by and talked with one another as Nichols struggled with his injuries on the ground, the video showed. One officer took photos of Nichols as he was propped up against an unmarked police car, video and records showed.
Some of the officers were part of a specialist crime-suppression team known as Scorpion, which was quickly disbanded among the outrage at the video. Officials are now looking at earlier cases involving the officers.
With Post wires
