A second former Memphis police officer, Emmitt Martin, is expected to change his not guilty plea on Friday in connection with the alleged civil rights violations that led to the beating death of Tyre Nichols, according to court documents. The change of plea hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Mark Norris.
This development follows a similar case in November when another former Memphis officer, Desmond Mills Jr., changed his plea to guilty on federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. Mills agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Tyre Nichols, 29, died in the hospital several days after a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. Footage from the incident shows several Memphis police officers kicking, punching, and hitting Nichols with a baton.
The other officers involved in the incident — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith — have pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges related to Nichols' death.
Link: NBCNews
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