MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Three former Memphis police officers were found not guilty Wednesday on all state charges connected to the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols, concluding a high-profile trial that drew national attention and lasted nine days.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith were each acquitted of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and three counts of official misconduct and oppression. The jury deliberated for more than eight hours over two sessions before returning its unanimous verdicts.
The trial stemmed from the fatal beating of Nichols following a traffic stop by members of the Memphis Police Department’s now-disbanded SCORPION Unit. Prosecutors alleged that the officers used excessive force after Nichols fled the initial stop. Nichols died three days later in the hospital; his death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
During the trial, prosecutors described the officers as acting out of anger and revenge. They pointed to SkyCop surveillance footage that showed the prolonged assault and alleged attempts to cover it up. A paramedic testified that no officer at the scene disclosed that Nichols had been beaten.
Defense attorneys argued the officers were doing their jobs within a dangerous unit designed to combat violent crime and that Nichols’ resistance escalated the situation. They emphasized the stress of the job and claimed that Nichols’ noncompliance contributed to the events that unfolded.
The former officers declined to testify, though their defense presented 17 witnesses—far more than the prosecution’s five. The prosecution maintained that none of the officers attempted to stop the violence or provided critical information to medics at the scene.
Two other former officers, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, were also charged in the case. Mills accepted a plea deal and testified during the trial, while Martin’s trial is expected to be held separately.
Bean, Haley, and Smith previously pleaded guilty in a separate federal case to charges including civil rights violations and witness tampering.
The Nichols family has filed a $550 million civil lawsuit against the City of Memphis, which remains pending.
