Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Responds to Verdicts in Tyre Nichols Case

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Shelby County—TN) Today, a jury returned verdicts in the state trial of former Memphis Police Officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols, who died following a violent encounter during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. Former Memphis Police Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith were found not guilty on all charges related to Nichols’ death.

The verdicts mark a pivotal moment in a case that has deeply impacted our city, state, and nation.

“We are disappointed in today’s verdict,” said Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy. “From the beginning, we believed the evidence supported the charges and pursued this case in the interest of justice and accountability. Tyre Nichols should be alive today. His death was a preventable tragedy that devastated his family and deeply affected our entire community.

We respect the jury’s decision and appreciate their service. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, our commitment to justice and to the people of Shelby County remains unwavering.  I  hope we can learn from this tragedy as Memphis continues to work to improve its policing practices.  We remain committed to transparency, justice, and the work of building public trust. Our office will continue to pursue accountability wherever the facts and the law lead us.”

Background

On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was subjected to a violent encounter with members of the Memphis Police Department's SCORPION unit during a traffic stop. He succumbed to his injuries three days later. The incident, captured on video, sparked national outrage and calls for police reform.

Two other officers involved, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, previously pleaded guilty in federal charges related to the incident.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, Chief Prosecutor Melanie Headley, and ADA Tanisha Johnson.