Aftermath from Tyre Nichols fatal the beating continued on Monday when the Memphis Police Department said a seventh cop who answered with relief of duty.
In a statement, the agency did not name the seventh officer, nor did it say whether that person would face departmental or criminal accusations.
Department also confirmed that the sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been replaced of duty.
“The actions and omissions of Officer Preston Hemphill and other officers have been and remain part of of investigation since its inception” on January 8, the day after Nichols stopped traffic and the day all seven officers were relieved. of duty— reported in the department.
Statement added that “numerous” looming accusations are developing. is not clear what officials can be held accountable.
“We expect, next phase of personnel actions in coming days,” the ministry said. in statement.
Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, confirmed on Monday that Hemphill had been seen. on body camera video released last a week firing stun gun on Nichols, as he initially ran away from the officers during the stop.
Gerald said that an officer was never present at the place where five officers who were accused with second-degree murder and other crimes were seen in the beating of Nichols.
“Hemphill’s actions and involvement are under investigation as he was involved in in initial stop and use of TASER,” the agency said in a statement. in his statement on Monday.
More coverage of Tire Nichols death
Five other officers – Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith – were fired on January 20 following an administrative investigation. found they violated the department policy about use of force. They were hired from 2017 to 2020.
those five former officers were charged with second-degree of murdertwo accounts of official misdemeanor, two points of kidnapping under aggravating circumstances, one think of official oppression and one think of aggravated assault, prosecutors announced last a week.
When asked why the Central Internal Affairs Directorate did not announce a disciplinary sanction against Hemphill on the day it announced shelling of five other officers, a police spokesman said: “The names of the other 5 officers were announced when they were charged with departmental charges, they were subsequently charged with criminal charges. Officer Hemphill received no departmental or criminal accusations. As we reported, the investigation is ongoing. The name of Officer Hemphill came up. out after it was heard in Tyre Nichols’ stage video, which was released on Friday night. We just confirm that he is relieved of duty”.
this answer was not enough for Nichols family Attorney Ben Crump.
” news today from Memphis officials that Officer Preston Hemphill was reportedly released of duty weeks ago but not yet discontinued or charged, extremely disappointing. Why is his personality role he played in tires death just now coming to light? he asked.
krump added“We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent. with in family and community – this is news seems to indicate that they weren’t up to the mark. Of course, the question arises why a white officer participated in in it’s cruel attack was shielded and protected from public eyes, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability. The Memphis Police Department must us all answers.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy office said on Monday that the authorities “worked extremely quickly, but carefully, to bring charges against those whose crimes were clear and obvious.” clear and directly contributed death of Nichols”, but that the investigation is far from over.
” current fees do not exclude us from adding extra fees as more information presented. We’re looking at everyone involved in in events leading up before, during and after the beating of Sheena Nichols. This includes the officer present at the first encounter. who still not charged, Memphis fire department personnel and persons who participated in preparation of documentation of incident after that”, Mulroy office said in statement.
‘Freeing someone of duty is not firing them’
At least one city official discipline said against Hemphill doesn’t go far enough.
“To record the release of anyone of duty is not firing them,” City Council Vice Chairman JB Smiley Jr. tweetedending post with “#FirePrestonHemphill” and “#JusticeForTyre”.
Representative with in union representing enlisted officers, Memphis Police Association, could not be contacted for comment.
Nichols, 29, black male. who was an amateur photographer and skateboarder, was hospitalized in critical condition and died three days after traffic was stopped.
Multiple police videos show officers punch, kick and beat him with club.
There were three videos from the police. body cameras and one from police surveillance camera mounted on pole. AND body camera video shows Nichols escaped when he was on Earth. At least one the officer appears to have been hit with a chemical irritant when it was sprayed on Nichols during the first meeting.
Nichols succeeded run to his mother district and was about 80 yards from her house when the video showed several officers attacking him as he repeatedly yelled “Mom!”
“I’ll feel your ass…”
body camera video referenced by Hemphill’s lawyer shows officer pulling up to the bus stop and pointing at gun. Another yells, “You don’t give a fuck.” out”.
One of officers tugging at Nichols out of in carvideo shows.
Judging by the video, several officers are circling around him. on Earth. Sometimes they shout out conflicting commands to him. in chaotic scene.
“I’ll feel your ass,” the officer yells.
Officers yell for Nichols to lie on earth and put your hands behind his back. He on his side on Earth, with officer holding on hand and second holding another, video shows.
Nichols says, “Okay, dude, damn it!” in one dot, and “you guys really do a lot now. … I AM just trying to go home”.
He tells the officers who are yelling at him: “I on earth!” and then it turns out that it is sprayed with chemical irritant video shows.
Nichols, during struggle on to the ground, manages to escape from the hands of the officers, judging by the video. The officer then fires a stun gun at him as he runs away.
This officer is chasing him for a short distance before it stops video shows.
“The taser was activated,” the officer said. says with heavy breathing. Then he gives a description of Nichols and says in direction and street where he was last seen running.
“One of teeth hit bitch – officer also says referring to the stun gun he shot, judging by the video.
Rainfall at bus stop hits other agencies
Consequences of stopping Nichols traffic and fatal the beating extended to agencies other than the Memphis Police Department.
Three fire department employees were fired on Monday after they were charged of The agency said it violated “numerous” departmental policies and protocols. in statement.
Department did not provide list of accusations. It says two of employees – both paramedics – “failed conduct an adequate patient grade of Mr Nichols.
The third employee lieutenant remained in her vehicle— reported in the department.
Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies were also relief of duty pending administrative investigation in connection with Nichols deathSheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. announced Friday night after watching the video for in first time.
Bonner said he had “concerns about two deputies who appeared on scene after a physical confrontation between the police and Tyre Nichols.”
The investigation will look at their behavior to determine what happened and whether any rules were broken, Bonner said.
