He was dismissed from the force last Saturday after an internal investigation found he violated several department policies, including using excessive force, failing to intervene and failing to render aid. Was. He was taken into custody Thursday morning, county jail records showed.
Despite the murder charges, the district attorney disclosed few additional details known about the circumstances surrounding Nichols’ fatal encounter with police.
After Nichols was stopped, “an altercation” ensued, in which officers doused the motorist with pepper spray, and Nichols tried to flee on foot, with Mulroy describing it in highly elliptical terms.
“There was another brawl at a nearby location in which Nicholls was seriously injured,” the prosecutor said.
The initial Memphis Police Department statement about the death said an ambulance was called because Nichols “complained of having shortness of breath” and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Mulroy said he would not comment on the legality of the initial traffic stop. He said the investigation would continue and did not rule out the possibility of additional charges.
‘It was criminal’
David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, told a news conference that he was sickened by what he saw in the bodycam video.
“What happened here does not reflect proper policing at all,” he added. “It was wrong. It was criminal.”
The former officials could not be reached for comment.
Blake Ballin, an attorney representing Mills, told a separate news conference that his client was “devastated to find himself accused of a crime.”
Ballin was joined by William Massey, representing Martin; Both the lawyers said that they have not yet seen the video and are still defending themselves. He said his client was posting bond to be released from jail on Thursday.
Both Mills and Martin intend to plead not guilty, their attorneys said. Ballin said it could be two weeks before the defendants make their initial court appearances as they were charged by the grand jury indictment.
Police Chief Cerelin Davis said other Memphis officers are under investigation for policy violations. In a statement posted on YouTube, she asked for calm when the police video was made public.
“I hope you feel what the Nichols family feels,” she said. “I hope you feel outraged at the disregard for basic human rights.”
‘painful reminder’
US President Joe Biden said in a statement that Nichols’ death was “a painful reminder that we must do more to ensure that our criminal justice system lives up to its promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment and dignity for all.” are.”