Three ex-Memphis cops are walking free, for now, in the Tyre Nichols fatal beating case — they’ve all been acquitted of second-degree murder in their state trial.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts Wednesday for all 3 defendants — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith — on all charges. The former cops were facing 7 charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping.
1/07/23Memphis Police Department
The jury deliberated for less than 9 hours before reaching the verdicts.
Tyre was killed during a January 2023 traffic stop for reckless driving. He initially struggled with officers, tried to avoid a deployed Taser, but was eventually subdued … then brutally beaten and kicked for several minutes.
He was hospitalized with his injuries, and died 3 days later.
While the defendants are going free today, they’re still facing prison time after their convictions last year on federal charges. They have not been sentenced yet.
