‘Disgusting video’ of police action that killed black man worries US authorities

Five police officers from Memphis, in the United States, were formally charged with murder on Thursday (26) due to the death of Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, who died as a result of an approach by five agents — all black — who has been described as disgusting.

The fatal approach occurred on January 7, and Nichols died three days later. However, there are still no details about what actually happened in the police action, in part because Memphis authorities are acting with caution and some degree of concern with the dissemination of images from the cameras attached to the uniforms of the agents. The expectation is that the videos will be published this Friday (27).

“We are here today because of a tragedy that deeply hurts one family, but also hurts all of us,” said Steve Mulroy, the district attorney who filed the charges.

Without revealing details, Mulroy said Nichols was stopped by officers and that there was “an altercation” in which officers fired pepper spray at the victim. Nichols then tried to flee on foot — and the prosecutor’s description of what followed was even more inaccurate. “There was another altercation at a nearby location in which serious injuries were sustained by Mr. Nichols.”

The five officers were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emitt Martin 3rd, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. Their ages range from 24 to 32, and their lengths of service in Memphis range from two and a half to five years. In addition to the murder charges, the five will be charged with aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

All were dismissed last Saturday (21) after an internal investigation at the department concluded that they violated protocols, used excessive force, failed to approach and did not provide assistance to the victim. The five were also detained on Thursday morning, and their lawyers said they were still putting together their defences.