The state trial has commenced for three former Memphis police officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, charged with the second-degree murder of Tyre Nichols following a mixed verdict in a previous federal trial. The trial focuses on body camera footage showing the brutal beating of Nichols after he fled a traffic stop in January 2023, and whether the officers acted according to their training. Emotional testimony from Nichols's mother highlighted the severity of his injuries, while the defense argued that the officers were performing a dangerous job and suggested other officers were more responsible. The case has drawn national attention, prompting scrutiny of the Memphis Police Department's use of force, especially against Black individuals, and has led Nichols's family to file a civil suit against the city. The trial, which aims to deliver justice for Nichols, will continue with the jury drawn from Chattanooga to ensure fairness amid concerns of bias in Memphis.

The trial against three former Memphis police officers, accused of fatally beating Tyre Nichols, has begun in state court after a mixed federal trial verdict; the officers face second-degree murder charges, among others.

Key evidence includes surveillance and body camera footage of the incident, where Nichols was beaten for approximately three minutes after fleeing a traffic stop, leading to his death three days later.

RowVaughn Wells, Nichols's mother, provided emotional testimony, describing her son's severe injuries, while prosecutors argued the officers acted with anger and failed to provide timely medical aid.

The defense claimed the officers were performing their duties in a challenging environment, adhering to police training, and suggested that other officers, who pleaded guilty, bore greater responsibility for Nichols's death.

The trial has spotlighted broader issues of police conduct in Memphis, particularly concerning racial disparities, following a federal investigation into the department's use of excessive force against Black individuals.

Nichols's family is pursuing a separate civil lawsuit against the city of Memphis, seeking accountability for the actions of the police officers involved in the incident.

To ensure an impartial trial, the jury was selected from Chattanooga due to concerns about potential biases in Memphis, where the case has garnered significant public and media attention.