Topline
Three former Memphis police officers were found not guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other charges related to the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols—though they were convicted on some related charges in federal court last year.
Key Facts
A jury returned a not guilty verdict for the three former officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith—after about eight and a half hours of deliberations, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Wednesday.
The officers were found not guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Even though the men were found not guilty on the state charges Wednesday, they were convicted in federal court in October and are awaiting their sentencing.
In January 2023, Nichols was pulled over by officers for a routine traffic stop—he ran away after he was forced to the ground, and officers caught up to him and beat him; Nichols died three days later of excessive blood loss.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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Further Reading
Tyre Nichols Death: What To Know About The Now-Disbanded ‘SCORPION’ Police Unit That Pulled Him Over (Forbes)
Former Memphis Officer Pleading Guilty To Murder Charge In Death Of Tyre Nichols (Forbes)
Ex-Memphis police officers in Tyre Nichols case found not guilty by out-of-town jury (Memphis Commercial Appeal)