A judge addressed arguments on Tuesday regarding the detailed jury instructions for the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights during a fatal beating following a 2023 traffic stop.
While closing arguments were anticipated, they did not occur as U.S. District Judge Mark Norris spent considerable time in chambers finalizing the complex instructions that jurors will receive before deliberating. Throughout the day, Norris engaged with lawyers in morning and afternoon sessions to discuss various aspects of the instructions.
Prosecutor Forrest Christian emphasized in the afternoon session that jurors must find evidence of bodily injury to Nichols to convict the officers of excessive force.
The jury remained sequestered for most of the day, prompting Judge Norris to remark that the jury’s time was being wasted while waiting.
After prosecutors concluded their case last Thursday, the defense attorneys requested acquittals, arguing that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence. However, Judge Norris denied these motions during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Attorneys for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith wrapped up their cases on Monday, having called in experts in previous days to counter the prosecution’s claims that the officers employed excessive force against Nichols, failed to intervene during the incident, and neglected to report the severity of the beating to their superiors and medical personnel.
Police footage revealed that five officers—who are all Black—punched, kicked, and assaulted Nichols, who was also Black, just a block away from his home as he pleaded for his mother. Two officers, Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin, have pleaded guilty and provided testimony for the prosecution.
Nichols passed away on January 10, 2023, three days after the incident. An autopsy report indicated that he died from severe head trauma, detailing brain injuries along with cuts and bruises on his head and other areas of his body.
The five officers were part of the Scorpion Unit, which targeted drugs, illegal firearms, and violent offenders, but the unit was disbanded following Nichols’ death.
During the traffic stop, the officers used pepper spray and a Taser on Nichols, who fled the scene. Prosecutors contended that the officers assaulted Nichols in retaliation for his attempt to escape, describing this practice using police jargon termed the “street tax” or “run tax.”
Haley, Bean, and Smith have pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including excessive force, failure to intervene, and obstructing justice through witness tampering. If convicted, they could face up to life in prison.
Additionally, the five officers are facing charges of second-degree murder in state court, where they have also pleaded not guilty. Mills and Martin are expected to change their pleas, but no trial date has been established in the state court system.
