Former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin III testified in federal court that police officers violated protocol when they used excessive force against Tyre Nichols and exaggerated his actions during a traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023. Martin, who initiated the stop against Nichols, admitted to being angry that night and exaggerating Nichols’ actions, which led to the brutal beating and subsequent death of Nichols. Despite there being no warrants for Nichols’ arrest and him not being a violent offender, Martin called for a felony stop, escalating the situation.
Former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith pleaded not guilty to charges of depriving Nichols of his rights through excessive force and failure to intervene, as well as obstruction of justice. Martin and another former officer, Desmond Mills Jr., have pleaded guilty to the federal charges and were fired for violating police department policies. The encounter prompted calls for police reform and reignited conversations about police brutality.
The autopsy report on Nichols’ death ruled it a homicide caused by blows to the head resulting in brain injuries and cuts and bruises. The fatal encounter also led to the disbandment of a police crime suppression unit called Scorpion, which was involved in Nichols’ death. The testimony from Martin sheds light on the excessive force used by officers and the resulting tragic consequences.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
