MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Three former Memphis police officers have been convicted in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, but were acquitted of the harshest charges they faced.
Nichols’ death sparked national protests and calls for broad changes in policing. Jurors deliberated for about six hours before coming back Thursday with the mixed verdict for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith.
All of them were convicted of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating. But Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges. Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but convicted of the lesser charge of violating his civil rights causing bodily injury.
