Memphis Officers Face Repercussions: The Unfolding Legacy of Tyre Nichols

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FILE - This combo of booking images provided by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office shows, from top row from left, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, bottom row from left, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith. Four of five former Memphis police officers charged in the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who was handcuffed, brutally beaten and ignored by first responders for minutes despite being barely conscious, can no longer work as law enforcement in Tennessee. The Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission, or P.O.S.T., voted Friday, March 24, 2023, to decertify Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin and Justin Smith. The state panel also approved the decision by Desmond Mills to surrender his certification. The fifth former officer charged, Tadarrius Bean, has not yet had his decertification hearing before the commission. (Shelby County Sheriff's Office via AP)
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In Memphis, the ripple effects of Tyre Nichols’ tragic death continue. ABC24 News reported that Shelby County District Attorney’s office has dismissed 30-40 cases linked to the officers charged in Nichols’ death. District Attorney Steven Mulroy says it’s due to the officers’ damaged credibility.

Nichols, a 29-year-old African American, aspiring photographer, and father, tragically died three days after a violent arrest steps from his mother’s home. Body cam footage showed the disturbing scene as five officers, some of which were Black, used excessive force.

FILE This image provided by the Memphis Police Department shows Officer Preston Hemphill. A state commission that enforces standards for police voted Friday, June 16, 2023, to temporarily suspend former Memphis Police officer Preston Hemphill,from serving in law enforcement in Tennessee while a federal investigation proceeds into the death of Tyre Nichols. (Memphis Police Department via AP)

While five officers face charges, including second-degree murder, a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, remains uncharged but will testify.

Nichols’ family filed a $550 million lawsuit against Memphis, slamming the city’s police for their unqualified, untrained, and unsupervised actions. But the question is, can Memphis rebuild trust with its community?


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

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