**Former Memphis Officers Found Guilty in Tyre Nichols Case; Mixed Verdict Announced**

In a significant development, a federal jury delivered a mixed verdict on Thursday against three ex-Memphis police officers implicated in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols. Following a brief deliberation, the jury found Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith guilty of obstruction.

Prosecutors accused the trio of using excessive force, unlawfully assaulting Nichols, failing to intervene during the assault, and neglecting to provide medical aid. They also faced conspiracy charges related to witness tampering and obstruction. All three officers had entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The jury's verdict varied among the involved officers. While all three were convicted on obstruction charges, Haley faced additional convictions. He was found guilty of conspiracy to tamper with witnesses and of violating Nichols' civil rights resulting in bodily injury but was acquitted of the more severe charge of violating Nichols' civil rights causing death. Conversely, Bean and Smith were acquitted of the civil rights violations.

The Department of Justice noted that the charges for conspiracy to witness tamper and obstruction could entail a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Sentencing for Bean, Haley, and Smith has been set for January 22, 2025.

The case also implicated two other officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., who opted to plead guilty to some federal charges. Their testimonies were pivotal during the trial, which spanned several weeks. Martin openly admitted in court that he sought revenge after Nichols fled the traffic stop, acknowledging his role in physically assaulting Nichols. He revealed his realization of being recorded by a Skycop camera only after seeing the footage on the news. Mills, on the other hand, recounted his frustration after accidentally pepper spraying himself, which led to his aggressive actions against Nichols.

The reactions from Nichols' family were palpable. Tyre Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, expressed relief and gratitude for the convictions, characterizing the legal journey as arduous. Similarly, Nichols' sister, Keyana Dixon, described it as a "bittersweet day," lamenting her loss while hoping for future accountability to prevent similar incidents.

Throughout the trial, defense attorneys argued that their clients adhered to Memphis Police Department policies. John Perry, representing Bean, contended that the force used was not excessive. Stephen Leffler, Haley’s attorney, acknowledged his client's directive to "beat that man" but framed it as a mere verbal command. Martin Zummach, representing Smith, argued that his client, impaired by pepper spray, did not fully perceive the excessive force and reported the incident to his supervisor.

The former officers on trial chose not to testify, leaving the jury to rely on testimonies from Martin and Mills, and to weigh the closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. Federal prosecutor Kathryn Gilbert emphasized the officers' deliberate actions and neglect in her closing statements, painting a harrowing picture of the events leading to Nichols' death.