Three former Memphis law enforcement officers have been found guilty by a federal jury in the 2023 case of Tyre Nichols' fatal beating.
However, the most severe charges were dismissed.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith were convicted of witness tampering, a crime committed in an attempt to conceal their violent assault. Additionally, Haley was found guilty of infringing upon Nichols' civil rights.
As reported by Straight Arrow News, Nichols tragically lost his life three days subsequent to the officers' ruthless assault, which occurred in the aftermath of a routine traffic stop. The convicted officers are now potentially facing a maximum of 20 years behind bars for their witness tampering convictions. Haley's conviction for the violation of civil rights could result in an additional 10-year sentence. The sentencing is yet to be determined, with a hearing in the pipeline to decide whether the officers will be held in custody.
This case has sparked federal scrutiny into the practices of the Memphis police, and has led to Nichols' family filing a lawsuit against the city and its police department, demanding a staggering $550 million in damages.
The assistant U.S. attorney who supervises the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division expressed his sentiments in a statement, asserting, "Tyre Nichols should be alive today."
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