Defense questions police practices as 3 ex-officers stand trial in Tyre Nichols’ death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Defense attorneys tried to poke holes in officer training practices and policies while questioning a police lieutenant Monday during the trial of three former Memphis officers charged with federal civil rights violations in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.

Larnce Wright testified for his third day in the federal trial of Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith in Memphis. Wright trained the officers and two others who have taken plea deals in the case. He testified about department policies and use of force, handcuffing and other techniques used by officers.

The three have pleaded not guilty to charges that they deprived Nichols of his rights through excessive force and failure to intervene, and obstructed justice through witness tampering. Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr. already have pleaded guilty to civil rights violations in Nichols’ death and are expected to testify for prosecutors.

Nichols, who was Black, died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating. Police video shows five officers, who also are Black, beating Nichols as he yells for his mother about a block from her home. Video also shows the officers milling about and talking as Nichols struggles with his injuries.

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