MEMPHIS – The Memphis Police Department confirmed Monday that a sixth officer has been fired in connection with the incident. Death of Dyer Nicholas.
Earlier this month, five officers were fired by the department soon after being placed on leave He was charged last week with second-degree murder Mr. In connection with the death of Nichols. A sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, has been placed on administrative leave; It is not clear what role he played in this meeting.
On the same day that other officials were suspended, Mr. A department spokeswoman confirmed Monday that Hemphill had been placed on leave.
Jan. 7 On that night, police officers arrested Mr. After kicking Nichols in the head, pepper-spraying him and dragging him away, they beat him repeatedly with batons. Showed no signs of fighting back In videos of the incident released on Friday. Mr. Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, died at the hospital three days after the encounter.
Officer Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, said in a statement that one of four videos of the encounter released by the city Friday, dubbed Video 1, shows Officer Hemphill’s body from the camera.
“He was never at the second scene,” where officers said Mr. Nichols was caught after a short foot chase and severely beaten, Mr. Gerald said of Officer Hemphill. He added that his client is “cooperating with the authorities in this investigation”.
This is a growing story. Check back for updates.