MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As particulars proceed to emerge within the Jan. 7 confrontation that led to the dying of 29-yeear-old Tyre Nichols by the hands of 5 Memphis Cops, we're beginning to study extra concerning the officers concerned. For considered one of these officers, Nichols' dying appears to not be the primary time he is been accused of extreme pressure whereas on obligation.
Demetrius Haley, who previously labored for the Shelby County Division of Corrections as a corrections officer, was cited in a 2016 civil rights lawsuit for allegedly beating an inmate to unconsciousness.
In response to the lawsuit, Haley was named as considered one of two officers who allegedly assaulted the inmate throughout a random search.
The lawsuit mentioned Haley accused the inmate of flushing contraband down a rest room, after which punched the inmate within the face. One other officer slammed the inmate right into a sink, the lawsuit mentioned, and he then misplaced consciousness, waking up in a medical unit.
The lawsuit was dismissed in 2018 as a result of inmate not submitting a grievance towards Haley and the opposite officer on time, and Haley was employed by MPD in 2020.
Haley was fired Friday for his involvement within the dying of Tyre Nichols, together with Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith.
In a press release, MPD mentioned the actions of those officers had been "egregious" in nature:
The Memphis Police Division has concluded its administrative investigation into the tragic dying of Mr. Tyre Nichols. After a radical evaluation of the circumstances surrounding this incident, we now have decided that 5 (5) MPD officers violated a number of division insurance policies, together with extreme use of pressure, obligation to intervene, and obligation to render help.
Earlier right now, every officer charged was terminated from the Memphis Police Division. The Memphis Police Division is dedicated to defending and defending the rights of each citizen in our metropolis. The egregious nature of this incident will not be a mirrored image of the great work that our officers carry out, with integrity, ever day.
A listening to was held Friday on the disciplinary course of for the officers concerned.