Mayor Jim Strickland said an outside review of MPD’s special units will likely determine if police culture needs to change or if more training is the answer. Reaction to charges in Tyre Nichols case echo calls for justice Here’s what’s closing early Friday ahead of Tyre Nichols footage releaseRelated stories:
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.
Attorney Ben Crump called for the response from the Memphis Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office to serve as a model for police reform across the country. Nichols family attorneys call for end to SCORPION unit, others like it At a somber vigil for Tyre Nichols, anger is directed toward change Here’s what’s closing early Friday ahead of Tyre Nichols footage releaseRelated stories:
President Joe Biden and local officials speak ahead of the release of police video of the arrest of Tyre Nichols. Much of the reaction followed the filing of second-degree murder charges against five Memphis Police officers.
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.
Here’s a list of places and entities that plan to close early Friday in light of the City of Memphis’ planned release of Tyre Nichols/MPD footage.
The family of Tyre Nichols, friends, mourners and skateboarders gathered in Tobey Skatepark for a vigil on Jan. 26, 2023.
Attorneys for the family of Tyre Nichols have released a letter calling for an end to law enforcement units like that of Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, in his first video statement on the Nichols incident said the city and Memphis Police Department must work to “regain the public’s trust.”
“We’ve all seen videos where there is police brutality,” Ballin said. “We’re urging the public to reserve judgement.”
“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.
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.
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.
The unit identifies upticks in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime and then targets those areas with patrolling SCORPION officers.
“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:
Proposals include keeping data on police traffic stops and renewing plans to increase police training.
Police reports indicate at least 19 vehicles were broken into over the weekend, during one of the center’s first big events.
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:
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who generally attends the council’s biweekly public safety committee, was not present for the Tuesday, Jan. 24, morning meeting.
A TikTok user has drawn attention to a possible connection between six murders in the Westwood area. Raines Station police addressed each one.
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 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 Germantown Republican pleaded guilty on Nov. 22 to two counts related to his unsuccessful run for Congress in 2016; about two weeks later, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended his license to practice law.