May 8, 2025 Story by: Publisher
This article has been updated to include press releases from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Legal Defense Fund.
In the wake of a Tennessee jury’s decision to acquit three former Memphis police officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—of all state charges related to the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, city officials are calling for community healing and renewed trust in law enforcement.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis emphasized the department’s commitment to rebuilding public confidence, stating, “We are committed to rebuilding trust and working together toward a stronger, safer Memphis for all.”
Mayor Paul Young echoed this sentiment, urging residents to “heal together” and focus on unity during this challenging time.
The acquittal has sparked widespread reactions from civil rights leaders and community members. NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Rev. Al Sharpton highlighted the verdict as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive police reform, advocating for federal legislation to address systemic issues within law enforcement agencies.
Despite the state court’s decision, the three officers previously faced federal charges, with convictions for witness tampering and other offenses. Sentencing in the federal case is pending.
The Nichols family continues to seek justice through a $550 million civil lawsuit against the officers, the city of Memphis, and the police chief, with a trial scheduled for next year.
As Memphis grapples with the aftermath of the verdict, city leaders and residents alike are focusing on healing and advocating for meaningful change to prevent future tragedies.
Press Releases:
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:
“Mr. Tyre Nichols was a beloved father, son, and friend who should still be alive today. Our hearts are with his parents, Ms. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells, who are still grieving the loss of their son. Time and again, they have been forced to relive Tyre’s brutal assault and murder but have remarkably found the strength to continue fighting for justice for their son and the many others that have been killed by police officers who are sworn to protect and serve. The Congressional Black Caucus was honored to welcome Mr. Nichol’s parents as our guests for President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address.
“It is unfortunate that Mr. Nichols’ loved ones must today bear the news that three of the officers involved in the attack were found not guilty on all counts in the state’s case. This decision is a shock to our collective conscience as a nation and falls woefully short of true accountability. It is past time that the U.S. Congress pass legislation to address the systemic issues in law enforcement agencies across the country. It is clear to us that the institution of policing is broken. The time to rectify these gaps in responsibility, accountability, and discrimination in our criminal justice system is now. We cannot afford to wait for another loss of innocent Black life. The cycles of violence against our community must end. The time to act is upon us.
“The CBC will continue fighting alongside Mr. Nichol’s parents and others for police reform to ensure that our legal system holds accountable police officers who violate the law and the public trust until no family or community has to face a tragedy like this again.”
Legal Defense Fund:
On Wednesday, three former Memphis police officers were acquitted of state charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of Tyre Nichols, whose 2023 killing shocked the nation and fueled calls for reform. The three were convicted last year in a federal trial for witness tampering, and one of the three was found guilty of federal criminal charges for violating Mr. Nichols’s civil rights. Two other former Memphis police officers have taken guilty pleas on federal civil rights and conspiracy charges, including using excessive force and conspiring or taking action to cover up the misconduct, and one of them has also pleaded guilty to charges related to Mr. Nichols’s death in state court.
In response, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement:
“Our hearts go out to the family of Tyre Nichols, who have been forced to relive the horror of his tragic and untimely death while dealing with the disappointment that yesterday’s verdict has surely wrought. Regardless of the jury’s verdict, the fact remains that Tyre Nichols was beaten to death after being pulled over for a simple traffic violation. What followed is a chilling reminder of the disturbing frequency at which interactions with law enforcement mark the end of a Black person’s life. Despite their sworn duty to protect Memphis residents like Tyre Nichols, officers on the scene failed to intervene and stop the brutal actions of their peers and likewise failed to render aid while Mr. Nichols lay suffering. Had any of the officers acted in accordance with their professional responsibilities, Mr. Nichols might still be alive today.
“The horrific beating death of Tyre Nichols is yet another example of the entrenched culture of police violence against Black people that persists in far too many law enforcement agencies around the country. In the Memphis Police Department, that culture was exposed in stark detail by the Department of Justice’s scathing findings last year. The DOJ found that the Memphis Police Department has a pattern or practice of excessive force, including the escalation of encounters that begin with low-level offenses, such as traffic violations. DOJ also found that Memphis Police racially discriminate against Black Memphians systematically.
“These repeated tragedies are not isolated incidents; they are the product of a broken public safety system that prioritizes force over true security and refuses to treat Black people with equal dignity and respect. We urgently need systemic reforms to end the cycle of police violence that has traumatized Black communities for generations and ensure accountability for all officers who betray their sworn duties to the public.
“Regardless of whether DOJ decides to pursue remedies for the constitutional violations that it uncovered within the Memphis Police Department, the City of Memphis – including the Mayor and other city officials – have a sacred responsibility to build a public safety system that truly protects all Memphis residents. No one in Memphis, or any other American city, should endure what the Nichols family has already suffered.”
Source: AP News/ Reuters / Daily Memphian/ Legal Defense Fund / Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
