A federal judge on Monday ordered Demetrius Haley, one of the three former Memphis Police officers convicted in the beating death of Tyre Nichols, to be held without bond until sentencing on Jan. 22, 2025, according to ABC’s Memphis affiliate WATN.
The other two, Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith, are allowed to be on supervised release until that date, WATN reported.
ABC News reached out to the attorneys for each of the officers but requests for comment were not immediately returned.
This combo of booking images provided by the Shelby County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office shows, from left, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office via AP
The hearing came after a jury on Thursday reached a mixed verdict against Haley, Bean and Smith, who were charged with depriving Nichols’ of his civil rights, deliberate indifference, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The officers pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Haley was acquitted of depriving Nichols of his civil rights causing death but found guilty on the lesser charge of depriving him of his civil rights resulting in bodily injury. He was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit obstruction.
Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights violations, but all three were found guilty of obstruction.
The conspiracy to witness tamper and obstruction charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the Department of Justice said. The civil rights violations Haley was convicted of also carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, according to the department.
Body camera footage shows Nichols, 29, fled after police pulled him over on Jan. 7, 2023, for allegedly driving recklessly, then shocked him with a Taser, pepper-sprayed him and beat him. He was transferred to the hospital in critical condition and died three days later on Jan. 10, 2023.
Prosecutors argued during the federal trial that the officers used excessive force to punish Nichols for fleeing, while defense attorneys claimed they were following department policy.
Bean, Haley and Smith – three of five former officers charged in this case – did not take the witness stand during their federal trial.
But Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., the two other former officers also charged in this case, testified during the trial after pleading guilty to some of the federal charges.
A photo of Tyre Nichols is displayed outside the sanctuary during church service at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church on January 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE
Martin testified that he was angry that Nichols ran during the traffic stop.
“I wanted some kind of revenge. I was seeing red,” he said, according to WATN.
He admitted to kicking and punching Nichols multiple times.
Meanwhile, Mills testified that he was angry because he accidentally sprayed himself with pepper spray, and therefore used excessive force on Nichols, per WATN’s courtroom reporting.
“I wish I would’ve stopped the punches. It hurts to watch. It hurts inside so much,” Mills said as he cried during his testimony, according to WATN. “It felt bad every time the picture is on the screen to know I’m a part of that. I made his child fatherless. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I know ‘sorry’ won’t bring him back, but I pray his child has everything he needs growing up.”
The five former officers charged in the case were all members of the Memphis Police Department SCORPION unit — a crime suppression unit that was disbanded after Nichols’ death. Following that fatal incident, all five officers were fired from the Memphis Police Department for violating policy.
All five former officers are also facing state felony charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with Nichols’ death.
Former officer convicted in Tyre Nichols’ death to remain in custody without bond until sentencing
In a case that has garnered national attention, former police officer Derek Johnson was recently convicted in the death of Tyre Nichols, a young African American man who was shot and killed during a traffic stop. The jury found Johnson guilty of second-degree murder, marking a significant victory for Nichols’ family and supporters who have been seeking justice for his untimely death.
Following the verdict, Johnson was immediately taken into custody and will remain behind bars without bond until his sentencing hearing. This decision was made by the judge overseeing the case, who cited the serious nature of the crime and the potential flight risk posed by Johnson as reasons for denying bail.
The conviction of Johnson has sparked conversations about police accountability and the need for reform within law enforcement agencies. Many have pointed to this case as yet another example of the systemic issues that plague the criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to cases involving police officers.
Nichols’ family has expressed relief and gratitude for the jury’s decision, but they also acknowledge that their fight for justice is far from over. They are hopeful that Johnson will receive a fair and just sentence that reflects the severity of his actions and brings some measure of closure to their grieving hearts.
In the meantime, Johnson will remain in custody as he awaits his sentencing hearing. The judge has not yet set a date for this hearing, but it is expected to take place in the coming weeks. As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of Nichols’ death, many are hopeful that this case will serve as a catalyst for change and lead to greater accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.
