Former Memphis police officer Desmond Mills Jr. has entered guilty pleas for both federal and state charges in connection with the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. This marks the first instance of one of the five former Memphis police officers charged in Nichols' death reaching a plea agreement.
Mills, aged 33, admitted to federal charges of using excessive force and obstructing justice, alongside related state charges. In addition, he has agreed to cooperate with both federal and state investigations, as stated by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy expressed that Mills' cooperation will be instrumental in holding all individuals criminally responsible for their actions and in identifying the need for systemic reforms within the police department. Nichols, a 29-year-old African American, tragically passed away three days after a violent encounter during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. The incident was captured on police body cameras and surveillance cameras, which were released by the Memphis police on January 28, revealing the disturbing and brutal treatment that Nichols endured at the hands of the officers.
The footage showed Nichols being restrained and subjected to physical abuse, including kicks to the head, pepper spraying, punches, and multiple strikes with a baton. Five former Memphis police officers, namely Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith, were charged in connection with Nichols' death. These officers were part of a controversial unit known as the SCORPION unit, which was created by the Memphis police to combat street crime. Following Nichols' tragic death, the Memphis police disbanded and "permanently deactivated" the SCORPION unit.
The five officers initially pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges at the state level and federal civil rights violations. Mills had been released on a $250,000 bond while awaiting trial. However, as part of his plea agreement, Mills admitted to unjustifiably striking Nichols with a baton on multiple occasions and failing to intervene to stop the other officers from assaulting him. He also acknowledged making false statements and accounts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The other four defendants are still set to face a federal trial scheduled for May 6, 2024, as per the news statement. The government will recommend a prison sentence of no more than 15 years for Mills, and he will serve this sentence in a federal prison.
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