Former Tennessee cop accused in Tyre Nichols case changes his plea before trial

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Tennessee police officer is charged in the fatal beating of a Memphis motorist. Tires Nichols intended change his plea to not guilty According to court documents, the charges are scheduled to be heard in federal court on Friday.

Emmitt Martin is one of five former officers charged with Nichols' death on January 7, 2023, after he dragged out of his car and brutally beatenthen left alone for more than 20 minutes without medical attention.

The five were indicted at federal level in September that they had deprived the 29-year-old FedEx employee and father of his rights through excessive use of force and failure to intervene and had obstructed justice by influencing witnesses.

Desmond Mills Jr. pleaded guilty to the federal court charge on Nov. 2 and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, who recommended a 15-year prison sentence. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

All five were also charged in state court with second degree murder. The State trial was postponed until the federal proceedings are completed.

Martin was the second officer to have contact with Nichols, and he helped Haley pull Nichols from his vehicle after a traffic stop. According to documents filed in the case, Martin was permanently barred from working as a law enforcement officer in the state.

Nichols fled from Martin and his two partners after they threatened and pepper-sprayed him, but was arrested again within minutes about a block from the home where he lived with his mother and stepfather. At the second location, Martin kicked Nichols as he lay on the ground and punched him in the face while two other officers restrained Nichols' arms, documents state.

Police video showed Nichols calling for his mother while police beat him.

The video also showed police officers milling around after the fight and talking to each other while Nichols struggled with his injuries.

Nichols died in hospital three days later. autopsy found that his death was due to blows to the head and classified the death as homicide.

The Memphis police chief said the department could not provide a reason for the initial traffic stop.

Nichols was black. The five officers, who are also black, were fired for violating Memphis Police Department policies.

A court document filed Thursday shows that Martin is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris on Friday to change his plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Jury selection for his trial was scheduled for September 9.