Ex-officer in Tyre Nichols case: ‘He wasn’t a threat’ after guilty plea

During a federal trial on Monday, a former Memphis police officer offered a striking admission regarding his actions related to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. Emmitt Martin III, one of the officers charged, testified that he was driven by a desire for revenge following an incident where he was struck by a car prior to Nichols’ death. “I wanted some kind of revenge. I was seeing red,” Martin said as he took the witness stand.

This testimony came as the trial of three other former officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—continued in connection with the January 2023 incident that led to Nichols’ death. Prosecutors have accused these officers of violating Nichols’ civil rights through excessive force, unlawful assault, failing to intervene, and failing to provide medical aid. These charges carry a potential life sentence, but the defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Martin, whose moniker on the force was “Full Can,” which references his aggressive use of pepper spray, testified for about half an hour. He sought to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Nichols’ death, stating, “He wasn’t a threat.” According to Martin, Nichols remained passive despite the officers’ aggressive behavior, an assertion that highlights the troubling nature of the encounter.

Martin’s testimony was part of the ongoing proceedings against Bean, Haley, and Smith. All three officers were indicted on September 12, 2023, for their roles in Nichols’ encounter with police. While Martin and another officer, Desmond Mills Jr., have already pleaded guilty to several charges, including excessive use of force and failure to intervene, the other three defendants maintain their innocence.

During his testimony, Martin recounted how the police unit would often exaggerate suspects’ actions to justify aggressive tactics, saying, “You get your a– beat” in reference to the so-called “run tax,” a term used by the unit to describe the consequences for suspects who fled.

Martin shared that he returned to work shortly before the January incident, feeling scared and angry after his prior injury. He described the moment he spotted Nichols’ vehicle, noting that he initiated the stop despite it not warranting a felony response—a point underscored by his admission that he had not properly informed Nichols of the reason for the stop.

Body-camera footage revealed that Nichols fled after being pulled over. Subsequently, officers unleashed a Taser on him and pepper-sprayed him before proceeding to beat him. Nichols succumbed to his injuries days later, with initial footage showing officers idly walking around and conversing as Nichols lay injured.

Meanwhile, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis has stated there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that Nichols was driving recklessly. As calls for police reform grow louder in the wake of this incident, the prosecution has chosen not to comment further until the trial concludes, while the defense has also remained silent on the allegations.

The incident left Nichols hospitalized in critical condition and led to a medical examiner declaring his death a result of brain injuries from blunt force trauma. The five men previously charged in relation to this incident were all members of the SCORPION unit—an initiative aimed at curbing crime—which has since been disbanded.

Martin characterized the SCORPION unit’s culture as focused on performance metrics, revealing a system where officers were pushed to achieve arrests regardless of the circumstances. Such insights raise profound questions about accountability within law enforcement, particularly concerning the treatment of suspects.

The trial has concluded its first day of proceedings, with Martin’s testimony expected to resume on Tuesday.

Source: ABC News