Five former Memphis police officers have been indicted in the death of Tyre Nichols.
A Tennessee grand jury announced the federal indictment against the five men involved in the January death of Nichols following injuries during a traffic stop.
Five former Memphis police officers have been federally indicted in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols in January.https://t.co/XkQWjQjxv3
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 13, 2023
"All of the charges stem from violating Nichols's civil rights. The first count alleges that the defendants aided and abetted one another in using excessive force and failing to intervene. The second count charges the officers with deliberate indifference," the Washington Examiner reported.
"The third count alleges the officers omitted and provided false and misleading information to their superiors and others to cover up their use of force. The fourth count charges the officers with an obstruction offense for allegedly omitting material evidence to two Memphis officers who had to write reports about Nichols's death," it continued.
Five Memphis police officers involved in the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols have been indicted by a federal grand jury https://t.co/EvHspF4GBG
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 12, 2023
“Officers who violate the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect undermine public safety, which depends on the community’s trust in law enforcement,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
Garland added, “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable officers who betray their oath.”
Body camera footage was released following the traffic stop that showed strong force used by the officers against Nichols.
The police report claimed that Nichols had started to fight with the officers but the video footage did not show any indication of him doing so.
The police report also claimed that Nichols was driving at a high speed before being pulled over, though evidence has not yet been provided to verify the claim in the report.
The police officers have since been removed from the force, with the case now moving to the federal level to determine the verdict for the five men.
