MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A court hearing for the state case against the five former Memphis Police Officers charged in the beating death of Tyre Nichols was reset Thursday.
The officers did not appear in court with their attorneys, and the judge reset the hearing for Nov. 15.
The former MPD officers face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression in state court for Nichol's death.
Nichols was stopped by officers on Jan. 7, 2023, and died three days later at St. Francis Hospital.
Three of the former officers were convicted Oct. 3, 2024, in a split decision during a federal trial for civil rights violations.
Justin Smith and Taddarius Bean were convicted of obstruction, and their attorneys have filed motions seeking an acquittal or a new trial, claiming the government failed to prove the charge. Smith and Bean were only found guilty on one count of a four-count indictment, which was count four: obstruction, witness tampering.
Demetrius Haley was convicted on the lesser charges of deliberate indifference and deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury for counts one and two. Haley was also found guilty of counts three and four - conspiracy to commit obstruction and obstruction.
Smith and Bean are currently out of jail after being allowed supervised release until the final sentencing in January. Bond was revoked for Haley, and he was ordered to remain in custody. Haley’s attorney filed a motion to have bond reinstated so he could be released until sentencing in January 2025.
Two other officers, Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin III, pleaded guilty in the federal case and testified during the federal trial. Those officers remain out of custody.
The Shelby County District Attorney General said Mills is expected to plead to the state charges as well, spending 15 years in prison. He was the first of the ex-officers to plead guilty.
Federal prosecutors said they will recommend 40 years in prison for Martin, whom the D.A. also expects to take a deal on the state charges.
A jury trial for the $550 million lawsuit filed by Nichols’ family against the City of Memphis is set for March 2025.
In July 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it was launching a civil rights "pattern or practice" investigation into the Memphis Police Department and the City of Memphis.
