Jury selection commenced Monday for the federal trial of three former Memphis officers accused of violating Tyre Nichols' civil rights through excessive force and failure to intervene. Nichols died in January 2023 after a fatal beating captured on police cameras that sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform. Ex-officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith pleaded not guilty to excessive force and obstruction of justice charges.
The officers said they pulled Nichols over for reckless driving, though Memphis' police chief has disputed that claim, citing a lack of evidence. Videos showed Nichols being beaten after fleeing. The 29-year-old died three days later, with an autopsy confirming he succumbed to head injuries. His family is expected to attend the trial, which is set to last three to four weeks. The officers were fired for department policy violations; they also state charges of second-degree murder. Former officers Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., who also face state charges, have pleaded guilty in the federal case and may testify. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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