Summary
Three former Memphis police officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, were acquitted of murder and other charges related to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop in 2023, which sparked nationwide protests against police brutality. Nichols died three days post-incident from blunt-force trauma, with video evidence showing the officers’ aggressive actions; however, jurors took over eight hours to deliver a not guilty verdict. Despite their acquittal, the officers face federal convictions and potential long prison sentences for separate charges, highlighting ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability.