Five former Memphis police officers pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges in the violent arrest and death of Tire Nichols, with the judge asking for patience in a case that could “take some time.”
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith appeared for the first time with their attorneys before a Shelby County Criminal Court judge. The officers were removed following an internal police investigation into the January 7 arrest of Nichols, who died at a hospital three days later.
The officers have pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. They are all out on bail. His next hearing has been scheduled for May 1.
The police killing of Nichols is the latest to spark nationwide protests and renew intense public debate about police brutality. Nichols, 29, was black. The five officers charged in his death are also black.
Addressing the courtroom, Judge James Jones Jr. called for everyone’s “continued patience” and “continued civility,” stressing that “this case may take some time.”
“We understand that there may be some heightened emotions in this case, but we ask that you continue to be patient with us,” Jones said. “Everyone involved wants this case to be concluded as quickly as possible. But it is important that everyone understands that the State of Tennessee, as well as each of these defendants, have an absolute right to a fair trial.”
Bean’s attorney, John Keith Perry, spoke to reporters afterward and said Bean was doing his job at the time and “never touched” Nichols. That claim is contradicted by video footage.
Protester Casio Montez spoke out about Perry, calling Nichols’ death a murder: “You represent a murderer, bro.”
Blake Ballin, Mills’ attorney, said the process should be “based on the facts and the law, and not on the raw emotions our country is experiencing.” The public must be patient and cautious in judging their client, he said.
“Justice for Mr. Nichols will not come at the expense of justice for Mr. Mills,” Ballin said.
Ballin also said the nation’s grief over Nichols’ death “should absolutely be channeled into demanding change in the way we police our communities.”
“It is also vital that we extend these demands to the way we treat minorities and low-income people in our criminal justice system,” Ballin said. “Let’s not forget that my client is a black man in a United States court.”
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, were in court along with their attorney, civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Nichols was pulled over by police for an alleged traffic violation and was dragged from his car by officers who used profanity, at least one of them brandishing a weapon. An officer hit Nichols with a taser, but Nichols fled to his nearby home, according to video released by the city.
Officers who were part of a crime suppression team known as the Scorpion caught up with Nichols and punched, kicked and bludgeoned him with a baton as he yelled for his mother.
[Con información de The Associated Press]
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