Five black ex-officers charged in Tyre Nichols death

The Memphis District Attorney charged five former police officers Thursday with second-degree murder in the death of Tyre Nichols, a black man who they pulled over on Jan. 7 and allegedly beat. Nichols died three days later and an autopsy commissioned by the family said he suffered extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating. The police department is expected to release the video of the traffic stop Friday evening. 

Who are the officers? The police department fired Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith after the altercation. The department said they employed “excessive use of force.” In addition to the second-degree murder charge, prosecutors charged them with aggravated kidnapping, official oppression, and official misconduct. Officials also fired two Memphis Fire Department employees for their involvement in Nichols’ initial care. 

Dig deeper: From the World archives, read Charissa Koh’s report in Compassion about local police reform.