Ex-Officers involved in Tyre Nichols’ death plead not guilty

The five former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers have entered a not guilty plea to second-degree murder and other counts in connection with Tyre Nichols’ death.

The not guilty pleas were made on behalf of Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith by their attorneys, who were present in court on Friday.

The officers were fired on January 20 and then charged with two counts of official misconduct, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, one crime of official oppression, and one count of aggravated assault in addition to two counts of second-degree murder.

Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, were also present in court with their attorney Ben Crump.

At a news conference after the hearing, Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, said that the officers didn’t have the courage to look her in the eye during the hearing, but that “they’re going to see me at every court date everyone until we get justice for my son.”

“I feel very numb right now,” Wells said. “And I’m waiting for this nightmare basically that I’m going through right now, I’m waiting for somebody to wake me up. I know that’s not going to happen.”

During the appearance, Judge James Jones Jr. asked for patience as “this case may take some time” and “there may be some high emotions.”

“But it’s important for you all to understand that the state of Tennessee, as well as each one of these defendants, have an absolute right to a fair trial, and I will not allow any behavior that could jeopardize that right,” he said.

Addressing reporters outside the courtroom, Blake Ballin, an attorney for Desmond Mills Jr., said that “justice for Mr. Nichols will not be achieved at the expense of justice for Mr. Mills.”

“I want to remind everyone that the resolution of this indictment, to which Mr. Mills has pleaded not guilty, must be carried out without sympathy or prejudice, that it must be based on the facts and the law, and not the raw emotions that our country is currently experiencing,” he said.

The officers’ next court date is set for May 1.

Last month, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis said the officers were “directly responsible” for Nichols’ “physical abuse.”

An administrative investigation by the Memphis police found that the officers allegedly violated multiple policies, including use of excessive force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid in the Jan. 7 traffic stop of Nichols, Davis said.

Nichols was pulled over by the officers and aggressively yanked out of his car, officers shouting a confusing barrage of commands at him, video released by the city shows.

Nichols managed to run to his mother’s neighborhood and was about 80 yards from her house when video captured multiple officers assaulting him as he repeatedly shouted “Mom!”

Police had said that Nichols was supposedly stopped for reckless driving but, according to Davis, an investigation and review of available camera footage had found “no proof” of that.

Nichols, 29, father of a 4-year-old son, who was an amateur photographer and skateboarder, was hospitalized in critical condition and died three days after the traffic stop.