MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer who hit Tyre Nichols with a stun gun throughout a visitors cease that preceded Nichols’ brutal beating by different officers received’t be charged criminally, a prosecutor stated on Tuesday.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy stated his workplace did a radical investigation of Preston Hemphill’s position within the arrest, reviewing hours of physique digital camera footage and interviewing witnesses a number of instances.
“By no means do we endorse the conduct of Officer Hemphill at that first traffic stop … but we do not believe that criminal charges are appropriate,” Mulroy stated.
Hemphill was fired Feb. 3 after an inner Memphis Police Department investigation confirmed he violated a number of division insurance policies for his position within the Jan. 7 arrest of Nichols, who died in a hospital three days later. Five different officers have pleaded not responsible to second-degree homicide in Nichols’ loss of life.
Nichols was overwhelmed after police stopped him for what they stated was a visitors violation and he fled the cease. Video launched after stress from Nichols’ household exhibits officers holding him down and repeatedly punching, kicking and placing him with a baton as he screamed for his mom.
Hemphill was not current for the preliminary visitors cease nor when different officers forcibly eliminated Nichols, 29, from his automobile and put him on the bottom, Mulroy stated.
“He had to make his decisions based on what he knew, or what he thought was happening, and following the lead and in support of the other officers,” Mulroy stated. “He acted on limited information in a matter of seconds at the direction and in support of the other officers. He did not pursue Mr. Nichols, was not present at the second incident where the actual beating took place that led to Mr. Nichols death.”
Hemphill’s physique digital camera confirmed that from the very starting of the visitors cease he and two different officers approached Nichols with power that was disproportionate for the alleged offense of reckless driving, in line with a press release from the disciplinary listening to that happened earlier than he was fired.
Along with breaking guidelines concerning the usage of a stun gun, Hemphill was additionally fired for violations of private conduct and truthfulness, police have stated.
Mulroy stated Hemphill has cooperated absolutely with the investigation into Nichols‘ loss of life.
Attorneys for Nichols’ household stated in a press release that they’re supportive of the choice to not pursue expenses due to Hemphill‘s cooperation.
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