Former police officer changes plea in Tyre Nichols' death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A former Tennessee police officer charged in the fatal beating of Memphis motorist Tyre Nichols intends to change his plea to not guilty Friday in federal court, court records show.

Emmitt Martin III is one of five former police officers charged in connection with Nichols' death on January 7, 2023, after he was dragged from his car and brutally beaten, then left without medical attention for more than 20 minutes.

Charges were brought against the five in September. They had deprived the 29-year-old FedEx employee and father of his rights through excessive use of force and failure to intervene, and had obstructed justice by influencing witnesses.

Desmond Mills Jr. pleaded guilty to the federal charges on Nov. 2 and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, who recommended a 15-year prison sentence. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

All five have also been charged with premeditated murder in state court. The state court trial has been postponed until the federal court proceedings are concluded.

Martin was the second officer to have contact with Nichols, and he helped Haley pull Nichols from his vehicle after a traffic stop. According to documents filed in the case, Martin was permanently barred from working as a law enforcement officer in the state.

Nichols fled from Martin and his two partners after they threatened and pepper-sprayed him, but was arrested again within minutes about a block from the home where he lived with his mother and stepfather. At the second location, Martin kicked Nichols as he lay on the ground and punched him in the face while two other officers restrained Nichols' arms, documents state.

Police video showed Nichols calling for his mother while police beat him.

The video also showed police officers milling around after the fight and talking to each other while Nichols struggled with his injuries.

Nichols died in the hospital three days later. An autopsy determined he had died from blows to the head and ruled his death a homicide.

The Memphis police chief said the department could not provide a reason for the initial traffic stop.

Nichols was black. The five officers, who are also black, were fired for violating Memphis Police Department policies.

A court document filed Thursday shows that Martin is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris on Friday to change his plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Jury selection for his trial was scheduled for September 9.