Tire Nichols was killed after being brutally beaten by police officers in Memphis on the evening of January 7. Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, was arrested for what police said was reckless driving. He died of his injuries three days later.
It’s not the first time the police have been involved a traffic stop in a deadly altercation. Five police officers, all black, have been fired for their actions towards Nichols. They have each been charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, two charges of aggravated kidnapping, two charges of official misconduct and one charge of official oppression. (A sixth police officer has been suspended in connection with the case.) If found guilty, the five former officers could each face up to 60 years in prison on the murder charge alone.
The city of Memphis released footage from police and street cameras showing officers repeatedly punching, kicking and beating Nichols with a baton — sometimes while holding him to the ground.
The fatal beating has sparked protests across the country and revived calls for police reform in Congress.
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