Tyre Nichols, a Black driver, died from injuries he got in a violent encounter after a traffic check, and five former Memphis police officers have been charged with murder in connection with his passing, according to prosecutors.
Three days after the altercation that took place during Nichols’ arrest by the five police officers, on Jan. 10, the 29-year-old father died in the hospital.
Police body-worn camera footage of the incident, which a lawyer for Nichols’ family likened to the infamous footage of Los Angeles police beating Black motorist Rodney King more than 30 years ago, was due to be released by officials on Friday evening.
Shelby County District, Attorney Steve Mulroy said, at a news conference announcing the charges. “We’re here today because of a tragedy that wounds one family deeply but also hurts us all,”
“The five officers, who are all Black, were each charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression”, Mulroy said.
“The news today from Memphis officials that these five officers are being held criminally accountable for their deadly and brutal actions gives us hope as we continue to push for justice for Tyre,” they wrote.
“This young man lost his life in a particularly disgusting manner that points to the desperate need for change and reform to ensure this violence stops occurring during low-threat procedures, like in this case, a traffic stop.”
Second-degree murder is punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison under Tennessee law.
Nichols’ step father, Rodney Wells, told The Associated Press by phone that he and his wife Row Vaughn Wells, who is Nichols’ mother, discussed the second-degree murder charges and are “fine with it.” They had pushed for first-degree murder charges.
The family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, issued a statement praising the charges.
RN
