In a heartbreaking testimony, a former Memphis police officer, Desmond Mills Jr., broke down in tears while watching video footage of him and his former colleagues brutally beating Tyre Nichols, leading to his death. The emotional testimonial occurred during the trial of three other former officers: Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith, and Demetrius Haley.
Mills admitted to hitting Nichols three times with a police baton but expressed deep remorse and sorrow for his actions. Nichols, a father to a young son, tragically passed away three days after the fatal beating, sparking calls for police reform nationwide.
All five implicated officers, including Mills, belonged to the disbanded Scorpion unit and faced charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. Mills and another officer, Emmitt Martin III, pleaded guilty to federal charges.
The trial shed light on the systemic issues within the Memphis Police Department and the urgent need for accountability and reform in law enforcement practices.
Reported by Jerry Askin, Lydian Kennin, and Corky Siemaszko