Memphis prepares for the unbearable. Five former police officers were charged Thursday in the murder of Tire Nichols, a young African American man who was beaten when he was arrested in early January and died in hospital three days later. The video, which family lawyers have likened to the lynching of Rodney King, is set to be released Friday night.
Joe Biden said he joined Tire Nichols’ family to “call for peaceful protests,” recalling that “anger is understandable but violence is never acceptable.” He said the Justice Department is investigating with Tennessee authorities.
“Failure of Humanity”
A rare fact in this new drama that the five cops are all black, as is the victim. Police Chief CJ Davis, who announced her dismissal, described her actions as a “fundamental failure of humanity.” In Tennessee, charges of second-degree murder (without intent) carry 15 to 60 years in prison.
The five officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder. – /AP/SIPA
Tire Nichols, 29, was arrested on January 7 for reckless driving less than 100 meters from his home. According to the police, he tried to flee, after which an altercation ensued. Lawyers for the family say he was “pounded like a human pinata” for three minutes. He died in hospital on January 10. According to an independent autopsy requested by the family, he died as a result of “profuse bleeding caused by severe beatings”.