Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tire Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police.
Gerald Herbert/AP
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Gerald Herbert/AP
Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tire Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police.
Gerald Herbert/AP
The Memphis Police Department has confirmed that a sixth officer has been disciplined during the investigation into the death of Tire Nichols.
Nichols was pulled over on suspicion of reckless driving on January 7. He was seen on a police video being brutally beaten by police officers and died three days later in hospital.
Officer Preston Hemphill has been “relieved of duty,” according to Memphis Police Department spokeswoman Kimberly Elder. She added, “This is an ongoing investigation. Once additional information is available, we will update our social media platforms. Hemphill was hired in 2018.”
Hemphill was released at the same time as five other officers, Elder says. He was not charged in connection with the beating and subsequent death of Nichols.
But while the other officers were fired, Hemphill is suspended from his duties, pending an investigation, according to department spokesman Christopher Williams. Williams could not clarify whether Hemphill still receives his salary.
Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, says Hemphill was the third officer in the initial traffic stop of Nichols. “Video One is his bodycam footage. Per departmental regulations, Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam. He was never present at the second scene. He is cooperating with officers in this investigation,” says Gerald.
The five former officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. — have all been charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault at a concert, two counts of aggravated murder. kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and one count of official oppression. They are all out on bail.
