Former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin III testified in federal court that Tyre Nichols posed no threat to officers during a traffic stop that ended in his violent beating and death in 2023. Martin, who pleaded guilty last month to charges in Nichols’ death, detailed how officers exaggerated Nichols’ behavior to justify the use of force. Nichols, a Black man, was pulled over and attacked by five officers, leading to his hospitalization and eventual death three days later.
Three former officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr., are on trial for violating Nichols’ civil rights, with accusations of excessive force, conspiracy to witness tamper, and witness tampering. Two other officers, Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., have pleaded guilty to similar charges and are testifying against their former colleagues.
Martin described how the specialized SCORPION unit often exaggerated suspects’ actions to justify their use of force and the “run tax” on those who tried to flee from officers. He admitted that Nichols was not a threat and that he had exaggerated the situation to make it seem like a felony stop.
The case has sparked national attention and calls for police reform, leading to a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the city of Memphis and its police force. Martin’s testimony sheds light on the culture of excessive force within the SCORPION unit and raises questions about the use of force and racial bias in policing.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com