The five police officers charged in the death of Tire Nichols in the United States have pleaded ‘not guilty’

Five Memphis police officers dismissed declared themselves this Friday not guilty of murder in the second degree and other charges resulting from the beating of Nichols tirean African American whose death three days later sparked outrage and renewed calls for reform.

Police video captured footage of the officers Nichols punches and kickshitting him with a truncheon, pepper spraying him and shooting him with a electric gun on January 7 after a traffic control. The case reignited the national debate on the racial issues and police brutality.

The five agents, all in bailpleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing in Shelby County Criminal Court, where they are charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

“I’m numb, as numb as can be right now,” Nichols’ mother said, RowVaughn Wellsas she entered the room dressed entirely in black and hand-in-hand with Ben Crump, the family’s attorney. “You must see my face”.

The Five OfficersTadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmit Martin, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith– They are African American. They were fired from the police and the special unit they were part of was disbanded.

A sixth officer, white, was also fired, as was three paramedics firefighters who came after the beating of Nichols. Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the scene were suspended for five days without pay.

Nichols – a 29-year-old father, avid skater and photography student – tried to speak to police as they yelled at him orders and threatened him with violence during the test.

“They are doing a lot right now. I’m just trying to get homeNichols said at one point, sitting in the street as police tried to subdue him.

“Stop. I’m not doing anything”Nichols screamed, just before breaking free and running.

When the police caught up to him, he they beat him while they were holding him, with a truncheon and kicked him while he is on the ground.

Less than 100 meters from your house, he called his mother several times.

Officers in the video said Nichols swerved dangerously into traffic, with one saying he grabbed his gun.

Crump has represented victims’ families in some of the most high-profile cases in which African Americans have been killed by police. Crump has helped the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to obtain multimillion-dollar compensation from the cities of Minneapolis and Louisville, respectively.

(With information from Reuters)

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