31 January 2023 , 00:49
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A sixth Memphis cop has been relieved of duty in the aftermath of the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols in the city in early January.
Five black officers were fired by the Memphis Police Department soon after Nichols’ death, before being charged last week with second-degree murder and other offences, while two Fire Department emergency medical technicians and a driver were also sacked.
Now it has been revealed that white officer Preston Hemphill was placed on administrative leave not long after the arrest. According to the police report, Hemphill deployed a taser that hit Nichols in the torso after a fellow officer had pulled him over on suspicion of reckless driving and dragged him from his car.
Body camera footage from the initial stop, shows Hemphill saying that he had tasered Nichols, declaring: “I hope they stomp his ass.”
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The image from video released, by the City of Memphis, shows Tyre Nichols leaning against a car after a brutal attack by five Memphis police officers (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Nichols, a 29-year-old father, managed to break free and fled towards his house, but was pursued by officers, who then used a stun gun, a baton and their fists as they severely beat him during the night-time arrest. He died three days later in hospital.
While Hemphill has been stood down, he has not been charged with any offence. His lawyer Lee Gerald said: “He was never present at the second scene”, adding that he has been cooperating with the investigation.
Attorneys for Nichols’ family have been asking why authorities were quick to fire five black police officers and charge them with murder – while staying quiet about Hemphill’s role in the incident.
“We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent with the family and the community – this news seems to indicate that they haven’t risen to the occasion,” said the statement from Ben Crump and Anthony Romanucci.
Tyre Nichols died three days after being beaten by police officers after being stopped on suspicion of reckless driving (Twitter)“It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability.”
Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said information on disciplinary action taken against Hemphill was not released immediately because he was not fired.
Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies have also been relieved of duty without pay while their conduct is investigated.
Meanwhile, fire officials said in a statement that Robert Long and JaMicheal Sandridge failed to conduct an “adequate patient assessment” of Nichols. Lieutenant Michelle Whitaker, driver of a fire engine that rushed to the scene, also was dismissed for violating department policy, officials added.
On Saturday (January 28), Nichols’s stepfather, Rodney Wells, told the Associated Press that the family was going to “continue to seek justice and get some more officers arrested”.
Howard University student Channing Hill, left, demonstrates outside the White House over the death of Tyre Nichols (Jacquelyn Martin/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Memphis City Council member Frank Colvett has asked why more officers at the scene had not been disciplined or suspended.
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It’s also not clear whether Hemphill or others will face criminal charges.
“We are looking at all of the officers and first responders at the scene,” said Shelby County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Erica Williams said.
“They could face charges, or they could not, but we are looking at everyone.”
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