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| CREDIT: Reuters via The Telepgragh |
Five former police officers have been indicted for US federal civil rights violations in relation to the beating death of Tyre Nichols. The charges come nine months after the violent beating during a traffic stop near Nichols' Memphis home, where police officers punched, kicked, and slugged him with a baton as he yelled for his mother. Nichols died in hospital three days later. The five former officers, all Black like Nichols, have pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder and other alleged offenses in the case. Attorney General Merrick Garland said that Tyre Nichols should be alive today.
US Attorney Kevin Ritz in West Tennessee said that the state and federal cases are on separate tracks, and no one is above the law. Kristen Clarke, who leads the US Department of Justice’s civil rights division, said at the appearance that the five former officers used excessive force, failed to advise medical personnel about Nichols’ injuries, and conspired to cover up their misconduct. The beating was one in a string of violent encounters between police and Black people that sparked protests and renewed debate about police brutality and police reform in the US.
Ms. RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother, was surprised that the federal charges “happened so quickly”. The investigation that led to the indictment was announced in the weeks after the January 7 beating death. She said her son was a “free spirit” and that he should be here today because of those five officers.
Attorneys for several of the former officers said the indictment was no surprise, and some added that their clients will defend themselves against the charges. The indictment alleges that the officers failed to tell dispatchers, their supervisor, and emergency medical technicians they knew Tyre Nichols had been hit repeatedly, trying to cover up their use of force and shield themselves from criminal liability.
