Jury at officers’ trial in fatal beating of Terry Nichols hears instructions ahead of closings

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has received instructions from a judge about how to deliberate and issue a unanimous verdict in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights in a fatal beating after a 2023 traffic stop. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris read the lengthy jury instructions Wednesday ahead of closing arguments expected later that day. Attorneys for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith rested their cases Monday. Nichols died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating. An autopsy report shows Nichols died from blows to the head. Two other officers, Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin. pleaded guilty and testified for prosecutors.