Former police officers who pleaded guilty to the beating death of Tyre Nichols can be used as witnesses against former colleagues

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (WMC) – Three former Memphis police officers accused of beating Tyre Nichols to death appeared in federal court Monday.

Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith and Tadderius Bean appeared in court with their attorneys.

This was merely a pre-trial meeting.

Neither the defense nor the federal government presented any new information. Monday's arguments focused primarily on the cross-examination of Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin III as witnesses and how that would affect the jury's decisions.

Nichols died in a hospital on January 10, 2023, three days after he was kicked, punched, and beaten with a police baton following a traffic stop. The attack was captured on video.

The federal trial is scheduled to begin on September 9.

The state-level proceedings have been stayed pending the outcome of the federal proceedings.

Martin changed his plea to guilty to federal civil rights violations last week. Mills also changed his plea in 2023.

Prosecutors allege that Martin intentionally removed his body-worn camera before the fight, refused to help Nichols afterward, did not tell the truth and intentionally withheld information from MPD officers.

The prosecution recommends a maximum prison sentence of 40 years for these charges.

Both Mills and Martin could be called as witnesses against their three former colleagues.

Bean, Haley and Smith continue to face charges in state court for federal civil rights violations, premeditated murder and other crimes.

They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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