State leaders, advocates, and community groups have voiced their sentiments and reactions as a jury reached a verdict in the Tyre Nichols trial, finding three officers guilty of witness tampering.
Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, and Tadarrius Bean, all former Memphis Police Department officers, were convicted on federal felony charges.
The jurors deliberated for six hours on Thursday in the federal trial regarding federal civil rights violations during the January 7, 2023, traffic stop that resulted in Nichols’ death.
According to Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for the Nichols family, “Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death.” Both Smith and Bean were also acquitted of civil rights charges.
“The jury also convicted Haley and former MPD officers Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith for their effort to cover up excessive force against Nichols by omitting material information and providing misleading and false statements to their MPD supervising lieutenant and an MPD detective who was tasked with writing the report documenting this incident,” the United States Department of Justice said in a statement.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 2025.
In a statement released by both attorneys following the verdict, Crump and Romanucci said justice has prevailed for Tyre Nichols and his family.
“The guilty verdicts reached today send a powerful message that law enforcement officers who commit crimes will be held accountable under the law. Tyre’s family is relieved that all three officers were found guilty and taken into custody for their loved one’s death. Tyre should be alive today, and while nothing can bring him back, today’s guilty verdicts bring a measure of accountability for his senseless and tragic death,” the statement said.
Here are more reactions from both national and local leaders following the verdict.
Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis)
“Today’s verdict brings a measure of justice for Tyre Nichols’ family, who have endured unimaginable pain since his tragic and senseless death. While no verdict can bring Tyre back, the conviction of these officers is a critical step in holding those responsible accountable. This verdict allows Tyre’s family to begin to heal and look to the future, knowing that justice was served. We must continue working to ensure that no family in Memphis — or anywhere else — ever has to endure such heartache again. I remain committed to fighting for reforms that will protect our communities and prevent these tragedies from happening in the future.”
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy
“We commend the diligent work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The public deserves to know that those who enforce the law are not above the law: If they use excessive force they’ll be held accountable. While the verdict may not be everything hoped for, we’re fully prepared to move forward with the State’s case. We will await sentencing in federal court, consult with U.S. Attorney’s Office counsel, and take appropriate steps in state court.”
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
“I am pleased that the jury found the officers guilty but was surprised that they weren’t found guilty of the charges that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division
“All three former Memphis Police Department officers were convicted of federal felonies for their role in Tyre Nichols’ death. They join two additional former officers who had already pled guilty. With these convictions, all five of the former officers involved in the death of Mr. Nichols have been convicted of federal felonies. Tyre Nichols should be alive today. We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Nichols. We hope this prosecution provides some measure of comfort as the law enforcement officers tied to his death have been held accountable. We thank the trial team for their extraordinary dedication to prosecuting this case, and we thank the jury for their service. We will never rest in our ongoing efforts to ensure that law enforcement officers are held accountable for violating people’s civil and constitutional rights.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren for the Western District of Tennessee
“A basic principle for our system of justice is that there is — and there only can be — one rule of law. Law enforcement officers must be held to the same rules as the citizens they’re sworn to protect. More than a year ago, this office made a commitment to following the truth where it led in this case. Thanks to our trial team who worked tirelessly over the past 21 months to ensure that this case was properly investigated and tried and to the men and women in the jury for their service. The defendants have been found guilty of serious federal felonies and face significant penalties for those actions.”
