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Tyre Nichols probe: 7 from Memphis police fired, 1 retired

Published:Tuesday | March 7, 2023 | 7:29 PM
This combination of images provided by the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department shows, from top row from left, police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, bottom row from left, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. A seventh Memphis Police Department employee was fired and another retired while he was recommended to lose his job for their roles in the fatal arrest of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old motorist who died three days after a brutal police beating in January. (Memphis Police Department via AP, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A seventh Memphis Police Department employee has been fired for his role in the fatal arrest of Tyre Nichols, while an eighth police employee retired before it was recommended he lose his job for his part in January’s events — which have reignited the national discussion over race and policing, the city’s chief legal officer said Tuesday.

The city on Wednesday also plans to release about 20 hours of video and audio related to the arrest of the 29-year-old motorist who died three days after his violent arrest, the chief legal officer Jennifer Sink told city councilmembers.

It will add to the already-public footage from police body cameras and a surveillance camera that has given the world a detailed look at the police pummeling Nichols.

Officials have named six officers who have already been fired in the case, and five of them now face second-degree murder charges.

Those five officers’ own body cameras recorded them beating Nichols, propping the badly injured 29-year-old in handcuffs against an unmarked police car, and then ignoring him as he struggled to stay upright.

They have pleaded not guilty.

The US Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into Nichols’ death.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has said its investigation is still ongoing, as well.

In all, 13 members of the Memphis Police Department have been administratively charged in the Nichols case.

Three were suspended and two had their charges dismissed, Sink said.

Out of the four fire department personnel who were administratively charged, three were fired and one was suspended, Sink continued.

This means that the employees have faced discipline.

The identities of the additional police and fire employees who are facing discipline could come as soon as Wednesday, when officials also plan to start releasing investigative records and charges.

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