Prosecutor says police delivered ‘beatdown’ that killed Tyre Nichols

Memphis police officers who fatally beat Tyre Nichols aimed to punish him after he fled from a 2023 traffic stop, a prosecutor argued Wednesday during closing statements in the federal trial of three officers.

“They wanted it to be a beatdown. That’s what it was,” prosecutor Kathryn Gilbert told jurors in the federal trial of Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith. They are accused of violating Nichols’ civil rights and attempting to cover up the assault.

Prosecutors have contended that the beating exemplified a troubling police practice known in officer slang as the “street tax” or “run tax.” Gilbert highlighted testimony from Emmitt Martin, one of two officers who accepted a plea deal, indicating that Nichols posed no threat when police attacked him.

She presented the jury with a photo of a smiling Nichols, dressed in a vest and tie, with hands in his pockets.

Gilbert claimed the officers laughed and bragged about their actions and subsequently lied to supervisors and medical personnel to protect themselves. “They chose their own comfort and convenience over Mr. Nichols’ life,” she said.

Haley’s attorney, Stephen Leffler, argued that his client only kicked Nichols once on the arm while attempting to secure him with handcuffs. He also shifted blame to Martin for allegedly suggesting that Nichols attempted to grab Martin’s weapon during the stop. “He was affected by that to his detriment, and the detriment of Tyre Nichols,” Leffler stated.

Bean’s attorney, John Keith Perry, informed jurors that Nichols ignored commands such as “give me your hands,” claiming that Bean, the youngest officer on trial, adhered to department policies. Perry asserted that Bean did not know whether Nichols had a weapon when he pursued and tackled him. “The force was not excessive,” Perry said. “It just wasn’t.”

Perry noted that Bean struck Nichols on the hands in an effort to restrain him, despite an FBI agent’s testimony suggesting Bean punched Nichols in the head. He pointed out that the agent’s interview with Bean was unrecorded, raising questions about its credibility.

Martin Zummach, representing Smith, asserted that his client was blinded by pepper spray and did not witness Martin and Haley kick Nichols. He indicated that Smith learned of the kicks only after an internal affairs interview days after Nichols’ death. Zummach emphasized that Smith had previously reported excessive force by another officer, demonstrating his commitment to transparency.

Outside the courthouse, supporters of Nichols’ family held hands in a prayer led by Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, concluding with a chant of “Justice for Tyre.” Nichols died on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the assault. An autopsy revealed fatal head injuries, along with cuts and bruises.

All five officers involved were terminated from the Scorpion Unit, which targeted drugs, illegal firearms, and violent offenders. Haley, Bean, and Smith pleaded not guilty to federal charges of excessive force and obstructing justice, facing potential life sentences if convicted. The jury is expected to begin deliberating Thursday.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press