In a case that has sparked widespread outrage and demands for police reform, a second former Memphis police officer, Emmitt Martin, is set to change his not-guilty plea in connection with the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols last year.
Martin is one of four officers charged with federal civil rights violations in a case that has drawn national attention.
According to ABC News, Martin is expected to appear before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris this Friday to alter his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors. This development comes after the initial jury selection for his trial, which was slated for September 9. Despite Martin's change of plea, the trials of three other former officers are still set to proceed as planned.
Last November, another former Memphis officer, Desmond Mills Jr., also altered his plea to guilty on federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. Mills has agreed to assist the prosecution and could potentially testify against his former colleagues implicated in Nichols' death. In return for his cooperation, prosecutors have recommended a 15-year prison sentence.
The charges against Martin, Mills, and the three other former officers include depriving Nichols of his rights through excessive force and failure to intervene, and obstructing justice through witness tampering. They also face second-degree murder charges in state court. It remains unclear whether Martin will also change his not-guilty plea to the state charges. Mills' attorney has indicated that his client will plead guilty in state court.
The three other dismissed officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith continue to face federal civil rights violations charges, in addition to second-degree murder and other offenses in state court. They have all pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The state trial has been postponed until after the federal trial.
Shelby County District Attorney Steven Mulroy's spokesperson, Erica Williams, stated that their office will continue to collaborate with federal authorities and "will share more updates as soon as possible ensuring that it does not compromise the investigation."
Nichols, a Black man, died in a hospital on January 10, 2023, three days after he was brutally assaulted by police following a traffic stop. The five officers involved in the incident, who are also Black, were dismissed for violating Memphis Police Department policies.
An autopsy report revealed that Nichols died from blows to the head, ruling the manner of death as homicide. The report detailed brain injuries, cuts, and bruises to the head and other parts of the body.
The criminal charges against the officers are separate from the U.S. Department of Justices patterns and practices investigation into the Memphis Police Department's use of force, arrest conduct, and potential racially discriminatory policing in the majority-Black city. The Justice Department has also announced a separate review concerning use of force, de-escalation strategies, and specialized units within Memphis police.
In addition to the criminal charges, Nichols mother has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and its police chief, further highlighting the gravity of the case and the urgent need for police reform. As the legal proceedings unfold, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice for Tyre Nichols and a significant shift in policing practices.
Login