A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday about whether the jury at the trial of four former Memphis police officers charged in the beating death of Tyre Nichols should hear evidence that Nichols had a hallucinogenic drug and stolen credit cards in his car when he was pulled over that night.
During a hearing, lawyers for the four officers said the discovery made by investigators after the January 2023 beating and discussed in court documents explains why Nichols didn't immediately pull over when an officer tried to stop him. They said it also explains why Nichols later ran away after officers yanked him from his car and hit him with a stun gun and pepper spray while he resisted their attempts to handcuff him.
