Tyre Nichols – latest: Bodycam video shows Memphis police beat Black man like ‘human piñata’, family say
The family of Tyre Nichols, the Memphis man who died days after being arrested and beaten by police in the city, have spoken out after viewing footage of the incident.
Nichols, 29, died on 10 January, three days after a traffic stop turned into a confrontation with officers that ended up with him in the hospital.
Family members and their attorneys met with Memphis police and reviewed the footage on Monday before it was publicly released.
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump called the video “appalling, heinous, violent and troublesome.”
“We’re seeing evidence of what happens to Black and brown people from simple traffic stops,” Mr Crump said. “You should not be killed from a simple traffic stop.”
“Regrettably, it reminded us of (the) Rodney King video,” added Mr Crump said.
Attorney Antonio Romanucci described Nichols as “a human piñata” as he was beaten. Five officers, all of whom were Black, were fired from the department in the wake of the incident.
Two firefighters involved in the traffic stop have also been placed on leave.
Key Points
Family say Tyre Nichols was beaten ‘like a human piñata’ in Memphis police ‘murder’
Lawyer Ben Crump vows to fight for Tyre Nichols
Two Memphis firefighters placed on leave over Tyre Nichols traffic stop
13:22 , Megan Sheets
Two Memphis firefighters are now under investigation over their involvement in the initial care of Tyre Nichols following his fateful 7 January traffic stop.
The firefighters have been “relieved of duty” pending the outcome of the internal probe, department spokesperson Qwanesha Ward announced Monday.
Ms Ward declined to elaborate on whether the firefighters were suspended or dismissed, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
It comes after five police officers were fired over their involvement in the traffic stop.
Body camera video of the confrontation is expected to be released this week.
A 29-year-old father died after a traffic stop. The family lawyer says the footage ‘reminded us of Rodney King’
13:03 , Graeme Massie
Five Memphis officers have been fired after violating multiple department policies in the death of Tyre Nichols as criminal and civil rights investigations are launched.
Gustaf Kilander has the details.
‘Reminded us of Rodney King’: Everything we know about the death of Tyre Nichols
Video of deadly Tyre Nichols traffic stop released after five Memphis police officers fired
11:33 , Graeme Massie
Officials say five Memphis Police Department officers have been fired for excessive use of force, failure to intervene and failure to render aid — stemming from an arrest during a traffic stop of a man who later died in a hospital.
Video of deadly traffic stop to be released after five Memphis police officers fired
Ben Crump comments on fired black police officers
10:01 , Graeme Massie
“It is not the race of the police officer that is the determining factor of the amount of force, it is the race of the citizen,” Mr Crump said. on Monday. “...It is about the Black and brown citizens that get dealt excessive force from the police officers, whether they are Black, white or brown, and it has to stop.”
MPD fires five officers over death of Tyre Nichols
07:56 , Graeme Massie
Five Memphis police officers fired after death of Tyre Nichols
06:30 , Graeme Massie
MPD determined the officers violated multiple policies, including excessive use of force, duty to intervene and duty to render aid.
Skateboarders
05:05 , Graeme Massie
Skateboarders skate in front of Memphis city hall to remember Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, five of whom have been fired. Tyre was a member of the skateboarding community, and they gathered at the request of Tyre’s family to honour him.
Lawyer Ben Crump vows to fight for Tyre Nichols
03:35 , Graeme Massie
“This is who Tyre Nichols was — a talented and dedicated skateboarder with SO much life left to live… He didn’t deserve to be tragically taken from his family and community! We will continue to fight for accountability for you Tyre!” tweeted Mr Crump on Monday.
Family say Tyre Nichols was beaten ‘like a human piñata’ in Memphis police ‘murder’
02:01 , Graeme Massie
High-profile attorney Ben Crump called bodycam footage of his death “appalling, deplorable and heinous.”
Bevan Hurley has the story.
Family say Tyre Nichols was beaten ‘like a human piñata’ in Memphis police ‘murder’
Who was Rodney King?
00:59 , Graeme Massie
MPD calls death of Tyre Nichols after interaction with officers ‘egregious’
Monday 23 January 2023 23:02 , Graeme Massie
Tyre Nichols live blog
Monday 23 January 2023 21:36 , Graeme Massie
This is a live blog covering the death of Memphis man Tyre Nichols after he was arrested and beaten by police in the city.
More follows.
RowVaugn Wells, mother of Tyre Nichols, overcome by emotion at press conference
Monday 23 January 2023 22:56 , Graeme Massie
