Officials found guilty in Tire Nicholas case will have new trial

A federal judge in Tennessee has ordered a new trial of three former Memphis police officers who have been convicted on charges related to the 2023 fatal assault of Tire Nichols.

The judge mentioned concerns about prejudice after the judge who presided over the original federal trial allegedly suggested that one of the defendants was a gang member.

Nichols, 29, was peppered, kicked and punched during a traffic stop, allegedly suspected of being reckless in 2023. He died three days later.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, JR were all convicted of witness tampering but were sentenced to the worst-serious charges – they violated Mr Nichols’ death and violated Mr Nichols’ civil rights.

Nichols’ fatal beating has aroused anger across the United States and sparked protests of police brutality across the country.

Judge Sheryl Lipman took over the federal case in June, after Magistrate Mark S Norris, who presided over the case and tried, withdrew the case.

Judge Norris allegedly said the Memphis Police Department was “infiltrated to the top with gang members”, according to court documents and judicial decrees cited by U.S. media.

One of his lawyers reportedly commented after being shot in a carjacking. The incident happened five days after Bean, Haley and Smith were convicted of allegedly found guilty of police frustrated by police investigations.

Two other officials – Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills JR – both pleaded guilty to their involvement in Nichols’ death.

None of these five people were sentenced.

Earlier this year, the jury found that they had not committed any crimes including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, serious kidnapping, formal misconduct and official oppression, the jury was acquitted, Bean, Haley and Smith Jr. were acquitted.

The case is separated from their federal conviction, which sentences a long prison sentence.