Three former Memphis police officers are currently on trial for their involvement in the beating death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old motorist, following a traffic stop in January 2023. The officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, are facing charges of excessive force and failure to intervene, as well as obstruction of justice through witness tampering.
During the federal trial, Lt. Larnce Wright testified that the officers did not comply with departmental training policies when they punched, kicked, and hit Nichols with a baton. Wright, who trained the officers, stated that the use of force was not necessary to bring Nichols into custody and that softer tactics should have been employed.
