Ex-Officer Cross-Examined in Trial for Tyre Nichols’ Beating Death

A former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty in connection with the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols faced cross-examination from defense attorneys during a trial this week. Emmitt Martin III testified against three other former officers—Justin Smith, Tadarrius Bean, and Demetrius Haley—who are facing charges related to the excessive use of force against Nichols. These charges were filed on September 12, 2023, and they include violating Nichols’ civil rights, unlawful assault, failure to intervene during the assault, and failure to render medical aid. If convicted, the officers could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the proceedings, defense attorney Stephen Leffler brought up the footwear of the former officers involved in the incident, noting that evidence was taken from their boots post-incident, which included traces of blood from both Martin and Haley. Martin’s testimony indicated that he believed that both Smith and Bean were aware of the no-snitching culture within their unit, despite the defense’s claims that they had only briefly worked alongside Martin prior to the incident.

Martin and another officer, Desmond Mills Jr., both facing charges, previously pleaded guilty to federal charges. Martin has admitted to using excessive force and failing to intervene, along with conspiracy to tamper with witness testimony. In light of his plea, other charges against him will be dropped at the time of sentencing, which is scheduled for December 5. Mills accepted a similar deal, pleading guilty to two counts related to excessive force and intervening improperly, as well as conspiring to cover up unlawful actions. The government has indicated that it will recommend a maximum sentence of 15 years for Mills.

Martin detailed the events of January 7, 2023, stating he initially observed Nichols speeding and changing lanes without signaling. After running Nichols’ license plate and finding it was clear, Martin said he communicated through the department’s car-to-car radio, enlisting Haley to take the lead in apprehending Nichols.

In a tense moment during cross-examination, Leffler inquired why Martin had shouted, “Let go of my gun,” during the confrontation. Martin explained he felt pressure on his duty belt, but went on to clarify that he had previously told prosecutors he had not seen Nichols attempt to grab his weapon. Notably, defense attorneys argued that Martin changed his narrative about the encounter after agreeing to a plea deal, suggesting his testimony could impact the outcomes for the defendants.

Defense counsel raised questions about Martin’s credibility, with suggestions he might have fabricated elements of his testimony to satisfy plea agreements. In response, Martin confessed that he had initially misrepresented the events, indicating a desire to rationalize his use of force against Nichols. This admission raised eyebrows, especially as police narratives from the night of Nichols’ arrest suggested he had struck at officers and tried to seize Martin’s firearm—a claim that Martin rejected under cross-examination.

Additionally, Martin disclosed that he suffered significant physical and psychological trauma after being struck by a vehicle in November 2022. He is reportedly dealing with PTSD symptoms, including insomnia, paranoia, irritability, and chronic headaches. In earlier statements, he conveyed feelings of fear and anger, along with a desire for revenge due to his injuries, when returning to work.

Body camera footage released from the incident shows Nichols fleeing from police after being pulled over for alleged reckless driving. Moments later, officers deployed a Taser and pepper spray on him. Following this, they reportedly assaulted Nichols after apprehending him. Tragically, Nichols succumbed to his injuries on January 10, 2023, just three days after the encounter. Footage also depicted officers attending to themselves while Nichols sat injured on the ground, which spurred widespread protests and demands for police reform.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis stated that she has been unable to confirm claims that Nichols was driving recklessly at the time of the stop. The prosecution has mentioned that they would refrain from further comments until after the trial concludes, while defense attorneys have yet to provide public statements.

Following the incident, Nichols was transferred to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The official autopsy confirmed that Nichols died from brain injuries related to blunt force trauma. The five former officers charged were all part of the disbanded SCORPION unit aimed at crime suppression. Each officer was dismissed from their positions for breaching Memphis Police Department policies.

Source: ABC News