Emmitt Martin is the second former officer to plead guilty in the killing that sparked outrage and renewed calls for police reform. Three former officers still face trial in federal court next month.
Emmitt Martin III, a former Memphis Police Department officer, second from left, accused of killing Tyre Nichols, walks into federal court on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
Martin entered his change of plea before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris in Memphis under an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to excessive force and witness tampering charges. Sentencing is set for Dec. 5.Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, was in the courtroom. She nodded her head and smiled when the judge accepted Martin's change of plea.
“I will never have my son back. I will never hear his voice again,” Wells told reporters Friday. “They murdered my son for nothing. And until we get justice for all of them, I won’t be content.” All five former officers accused in Nichols’ death have been charged separately in state court with second-degree murder. That trial is postponed until the federal proceedings are complete. Mills previously agreed to plead guilty in state court. Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy issued a statement on Friday saying he expects Martin to make a similar plea in state court at the appropriate time.
Martin, who was the second officer to come into contact with Nichols during the Jan. 7 traffic stop, helped Haley to force Nichols from his vehicle, according to documents filed in the case to permanently ban Martin from working in law enforcement in Tennessee. The Justice Department also has announced a separate review concerning use of force, de-escalation strategies and specialized units within Memphis police.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2nd ex-Memphis officer pleads guilty to civil rights violations in killing of Tyre NicholsA second former Memphis police officer pleaded guilty Friday to civil rights violations in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, leaving three officers heading to trial in federal court next month.
Read more »
Former Memphis police officer set to change plea in Tyre Nichols beating deathPolice body camera and pole camera footage captured the moments when Memphis police officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. Nichols was hospitalized days before dying after the encounter.
Read more »
Ex-Memphis cop changes plea in Tyre Nichols' death case -- with prosecutors recommending 40 -year sentenceFederal prosecutors recommended a 40-year sentence for a former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty Friday to federal civil rights violations in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.
Read more »
Another ex-Memphis police officer pleads guilty to civil rights violations in killing of Tyre NicholsFederal prosecutors recommended a 40-year sentence for former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.
Read more »
Second former Memphis police officer changes his plea to guilty in Tyre Nichols’ deathA second former Memphis police officer facing federal civil rights charges in the violent arrest and beating death of Tyre Nichols is expected to change his plea to guilty on Friday in federal court.
Read more »
2nd ex-officer charged in Tyre Nichols' death pleads guilty in federal plea dealEmmitt Martin III is one of five former Memphis police officers indicted last year on federal charges in connection with Tyre Nichols' death.
Read more »