MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A pretrial hearing in the state's case against four former Memphis Police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols was reset Monday, less than a month ahead of the scheduled federal trial.
Monday's hearing on the state charges was rest until Oct. 25.
A range of motions could still be filed, including to suppress specific evidence or statements during the trial. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris already denied all motions for a change of venue in April that would transfer the case out of Shelby County into Jackson, Tennessee. Attorney's for the ex-MPD officers contended that media coverage and attention would make it nearly impossible to assemble a fair jury.
Former officers Emmitt Martin, Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley, and Tadarrius Bean pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder, assault, official misconduct and kidnapping. They also face federal charges alleging they used excessive force and lied about the beating of Tyre Nichols.
Another former officer, Desmond Mills, pleaded guilty to federal and state charges and was recommended 15 years in prison.
The state trial for the ex-officers was initially set to begin on Aug. 12, but in March, a judge moved it to take place after the federal trial scheduled for September 9.
Nichols' mother filed a $550-million suit against the City of Memphis, the involved officers and Police Chief CJ Davis, accusing her of ignoring the department's SCORPION Unit's 'aggressive' style of policing and accusing MPD of improper training and low hiring standards.
The attorney for Emmitt Martin said the state trial date will be decided after the federal trial is concluded. He did not, however, answer other questions about any of the impending trials. A judge set the civil trial for Jan. 27, 2025, and will allow attorneys for Nichols' family to call 30 witnesses to the stand in their suit.