Jan 26, 2023
Five fired Memphis police officers were charged on Thursday with second-degree murder over the death of Tyre Nichols - who died three days after being beaten during a January 7 traffic stop. Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Desmond Mills, Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith, who are all black, are now in custody. In addition to second degree murder the five were also charged with aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. On Thursday afternoon DA Steve Mulroy briefed the press, saying his team had moved 'swiftly, but also fairly' to review the case that led to the charges against the five officers. He added that the police bodycam footage of the incident will be released sometime after 6pm Central Time on Friday. Second-degree murder, described by the Memphis District Attorney as a 'knowing murder,' is punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison under Tennessee law. All five former cops were detained on bonds of up to $35