In a case that has gripped the nation, three former Memphis police officers have been acquitted of all state charges in the death of Tyre Nichols.
See the tweet below!
The acquittal sparked heated reactions and left lingering questions about justice and accountability within our law enforcement system.
The jury’s decision comes as a culmination of legal battles that have drawn intense scrutiny and debate.
A Chattanooga jury found former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith not guilty of second-degree murder and other charges.
The trial lasted nine days with the jury deliberating for over eight hours.
This decision follows the officers’ previous convictions on federal charges related to the same incident.
The officers had previously been convicted federally for obstruction of justice, and officer Haley for using unreasonable force.
Their acquittal in state court raises questions on the application of justice across different legal systems.
The Scorpion Unit, to which these officers belonged, was disbanded after Nichols’s death.
Prosecutors argued the officers used excessive force during the traffic stop where Tyre Nichols was beaten and later died from his injuries.
Body camera footage was pivotal in the trial, showing the tragic events unfold.
Nichols’s death ignited widespread protests, calling for police reform and questioning law enforcement practices.
The defense insisted Nichols resisted arrest, with the jury ultimately siding with them.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy expressed disappointment, emphasizing that Tyre Nichols’s death remains a tragedy and a stark reminder of the change needed in the justice system.
“It’s hard for us to imagine how someone could say that none of the defendants were guilty of any of the charges. I think that any fair-minded person who watched the video would come to the conclusion that everybody there had some responsibility for Tyre Nichols’ death,” Mulroy said.
“What I do know is this, Tyre Nichols is dead and deserves to be alive and that is a tragedy. It’s my hope that the public understands that this is part of the system and that our office will continue to push for accountability for everybody who violates the law, especially those who are sworn to uphold it,” he added, cited by Fox 13 Memphis.
OFFICERS ACQUITTED: It took more than eight hours over two days for a jury to reach its verdict, finding all three officers not guilty on all charges. Read more: https://t.co/c6pw0qoLMM pic.twitter.com/wilVGsR4aX
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) May 7, 2025
