Former officers found guilty in Tyre Nichols’ case

A jury on Thursday found three former Memphis police officers guilty in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith were convicted of witness tampering in the case that fueled nationwide protests and renewed calls for police reform. Still, the jury acquitted Bean and Smith of federal civil rights violations. Haley was convicted of violating Nichols’ civil rights by causing bodily injury, though he was acquitted of the more serious charge of causing death.The verdict came after jurors deliberated for six hours, carefully considering the violent encounter captured on police bodycam footage. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was beaten just steps from his home following a traffic stop, as officers repeatedly struck him while he cried out for his mother. Nichols died three days later in the hospital.The courtroom remained silent as the verdicts were read, and the judge ordered the officers to be taken into custody. A hearing on Monday will determine whether they will be released pending sentencing. Witness tampering carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.Rodney Wells, Nichols’ stepfather, spoke to reporters after the verdict, saying, “A win is a win. They’re all going to jail,” expressing...