Jury Begins Deliberations in State Trial of Three Former Memphis Officers Charged in Tyre Nichols’ Death
Memphis, TN, May 6, 2025 – A jury in Hamilton County, Tennessee, began deliberations today in the state trial of three former Memphis police officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—charged with second-degree murder and other offenses in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols. The trial, which has drawn national attention, follows the officers’ federal convictions in October 2024 for witness tampering, with Haley also convicted of a lesser civil rights violation causing bodily injury. The deliberations mark a critical phase in a case that sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform after graphic video evidence revealed the brutal assault on Nichols, a 29-year-old Black father.
The trial, relocated from Shelby County due to intense publicity, centers on events following a January 7, 2023, traffic stop. Nichols, pulled over for alleged reckless driving—a claim later unsubstantiated by Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis—fled after officers used pepper spray and a Taser. Five officers, all Black and part of the now-disbanded Scorpion Unit, caught Nichols near his home, where they punched, kicked, and struck him with a baton as he called out for his mother. Nichols died three days later on January 10, 2023, from blunt-force trauma to the head, leaving behind a 7-year-old son. The autopsy confirmed homicide, detailing brain injuries and extensive bruising.
Closing arguments concluded Monday, with Assistant District Attorney Melanie Headley asserting that the officers acted collectively, stating, “It’s five officers acting together,” and holding them criminally responsible for Nichols’ death. Prosecutors argued the officers imposed a “street tax” or “run tax,” a slang term for punishing suspects who flee, and failed to report the extent of force used to supervisors or medical personnel, exacerbating Nichols’ injuries. Video evidence, including body camera and pole camera footage, showed officers casually talking and laughing as Nichols struggled, with some allegedly bragging about the beating.
Defense attorneys countered that the officers followed Memphis Police Department policies during a “high-risk” stop. John Keith Perry, representing Bean, argued that Nichols ignored repeated commands to show his hands, and Bean’s actions were limited to attempting to handcuff him without intent to punish. Attorneys for Haley and Smith, whose closing arguments were set for Tuesday, have similarly emphasized Nichols’ resistance and compliance with training protocols. The defense has also sought to distance their clients from the actions of two other officers, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin, who pleaded guilty to federal and state charges and testified against their former colleagues.
Mills, facing up to 15 years under his federal plea deal, expressed regret, testifying tearfully that he wished he had stopped the beating and left Nichols’ son fatherless. Martin, facing up to 40 years, described Nichols as “helpless” during the assault and revealed a Scorpion Unit culture of covering up excessive force to protect each other. Their testimony highlighted systemic issues, with the U.S. Justice Department’s December 2024 report finding that the Memphis Police Department routinely uses excessive force and discriminates against Black residents.
The jury, which began deliberations after Tuesday’s final arguments, faces a complex task. The officers are charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression. A second-degree murder conviction carries up to 60 years in prison, while federal sentences—set for January 22, 2025—include up to 20 years for witness tampering and 10 years for Haley’s civil rights violation. The jury, instructed by Judge James Jones Jr., can consider lesser charges if they find the evidence does not support the primary counts.
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, have been vocal in seeking justice, supported by attorney Ben Crump. After the federal convictions, Wells expressed hope that accountability would send a message about police reform. Posts on X, including from @TheTNHoller and @AttorneyCrump, reflect ongoing public demand for justice, with sentiments like “Tyre Nichols’ death will not go unaccounted for.” The case continues to fuel debate over police brutality, with Nichols’ death prompting nationwide protests and the disbandment of the Scorpion Unit, known for aggressive tactics targeting drugs and violent crime.
As deliberations proceed, the outcome will likely influence ongoing discussions about policing in Memphis and beyond. The jury’s decision, expected soon, could bring closure to Nichols’ family or further complicate a case already marked by mixed verdicts and systemic critiques. For now, the nation watches as the fate of Bean, Haley, and Smith hangs in the balance.
Sources: ABC News, AP News, PBS News, NPR, The New York Times, X posts