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MPD released a tweet Saturday that said: “In the process of listening intently to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders and the uninvolved officers ... it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the SCORPION Unit.”
These videos contain content that may be upsetting to sensitive viewers. In the footage, Nichols can been seen being restrained, beaten, Tasered and pepper sprayed by MPD officers.
“While each of the five individuals played a different role in the incident in question, the actions of all of them resulted in the death of Tyre Nichols and they are all responsible,” Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy said.
MPD’s Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis talked to The Daily Memphian about why they are releasing the video footage Friday evening, whether the National Guard will be brought in and how she thinks these latest events will affect recruiting. Earlier in the day, she also discussed the fire department’s role in Nichols’ death.
A court date has been set for the five police officers accused in the death of Tyre Nichols. All posted bail less than 24 hours after being booked in Shelby County Jail.
The Memphis Fire Department confirmed Monday, Jan. 23, that two personnel involved in the “initial patient care” of Tyre Nichols had been relieved of duty pending an internal investigation.
“We’ve all seen videos where there is police brutality,” Ballin said. “We’re urging the public to reserve judgement.”
The officers who were booked Thursday are Tadarrius Bean, 24; Demetrius Haley, 30; Emmitt Martin III, 30; Desmond Mills Jr., 32; and Justin Smith, 28.
“Our federal investigation may take some time,” Ritz said. “These things often do. But we will be diligent, and we will make decisions based on the facts and the law.” Tyre Nichols suffered ‘extensive bleeding,’ independent autopsy reports Memphis City Council looks at police reforms in wake of Tyre Nichols’ deathRelated stories:
The unit identifies upticks in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime and then targets those areas with patrolling SCORPION officers.
In a recorded statement released late Wednesday evening, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said other MPD officers, besides the five already fired last week for violating department policies in Tyre Nichols’ death, are under investigation.
Retired Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe, executive director of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, sent a letter to Jonathan Thompson, executive director and CEO of the National Sheriff’s Association, and the letter was obtained by WVTF-TV Channel 5 in Nashville.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he hired the same pathologist in this case as he did in the case of George Floyd, whose family he also represented. Memphis City Council looks at police reforms in wake of Tyre Nichols’ deathRelated coverage:
“What we saw, regrettably it reminded us of the Rodney King video,” attorney Ben Crump said. “Unlike Rodney King, Tyre didn’t survive.” Officer involved in Tyre Nichols’ death previously accused of brutality Two MFD personnel relieved of duty after Tyre Nichols incidentRelated story:
The identity of the personnel or the reason for investigating was not disclosed. The announcement follows news from the Memphis Police Department that they fired the five officers involved in the fatal attempted arrest of Nichols.
The former Memphis police officer was one of five MPD officers who faced disciplinary action and later fired following a Saturday, Jan. 7, traffic stop that led to the death of Nichols, 29, three days later.
The investigation concluded they violated multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, duty to intervene and duty to render aid. Related story:
A definitive date has not been given, but the city said in a statement earlier this week that the footage would not be released until Nichols’ family meets with officials for a private viewing.
A 15-year-old accused in the July killing of Rev. Autura Eason-Williams will be transferred to adult court while a second 16-year-old suspect will stay in juvenile court.
The United States Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the FBI Memphis Field Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols.
“The challenge we have is that the city government does not control the courts,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said. “We don’t control the state laws. We don’t control, we can’t control, gun regulations and gun access.”
Prior to her 1996 appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court, Justice Janice Holder was elected to Division II of the Circuit Court of Tennessee for the 30th Judicial District in Memphis in 1990.
The joint statement from Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis Tuesday, Jan. 17, came as the funeral of Tyre Nichols was underway. ‘Tyre was a man': Loved ones of Tyre Nichols demand transparency from MPDRelated story:
About 50 people, including family, friends and coworkers, attended the memorial service for Nichols at M.J. Edwards Funeral Home on the edge of Orange Mound. City pledges to release Nichols incident police body cam footage next weekRelated story:
Cassius Bryant, 22, is the second suspect charged in the death of the University of Memphis nursing student.