**Former Memphis Officers Convicted of Witness Tampering in Tyre Nichols Case**

Three former police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, have been found guilty of witness tampering related to the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old who was beaten during a traffic stop in January 2023. The convicted officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, were part of a five-member team that assaulted Nichols.

The federal jury took about six hours to deliberate following a month-long trial before delivering the verdict on Thursday. While the three officers were found guilty of obstructing justice through witness tampering, they were acquitted of more severe civil rights violation charges, which could have resulted in life imprisonment.

In addition to the main charge, Haley was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit witness tampering. When sentenced on January 22, the trio faces up to 20 years in prison.

Nichols’s family attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, praised the jury's decision, asserting it sends a strong message of accountability for law enforcement officers who commit crimes. They expressed that although nothing could bring Nichols back, the verdict provides a measure of justice for his tragic death.

Ms. RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’s mother, and his stepfather, Rodney Wells, expressed their gratitude for the verdict outside the courthouse, emphasizing the long and painful journey their family has endured.

The officers were members of the now-defunct Scorpion Task Force of the Memphis police, created to reduce crime in the city. On the night of January 7, 2023, Nichols was pulled over for alleged reckless driving. A confrontation escalated, and Nichols attempted to flee but was eventually caught and brutally beaten by the officers. He succumbed to his injuries three days later, with a post-mortem examination indicating he died from blunt-force trauma.

The Department of Justice highlighted that the officers' failure to inform medical responders about the head injuries Nichols sustained contributed directly to his death. They noted that accurate information could have altered the medical response significantly.

Among the five officers involved, Emmit Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. had previously pleaded guilty to federal civil rights and conspiracy charges. All five officers are also facing second-degree murder charges in a state court in Tennessee, with a trial date yet to be determined.

In addition to the criminal charges, Nichols's family has filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis, seeking $550 million over the loss of their son.