Judge asks potential jurors if they can be fair toward 3 officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Potential jurors in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols ’ civil rights were asked Monday whether heavy media coverage and publicly released video of him being beaten to death could influence their ability to be fair.

U.S. District Judge Mark Norris questioned jury candidates about what they think are the most important characteristics a juror should have and whether they would be biased in reaching a verdict.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to charges that they deprived Nichols of his rights through excessive force and failure to intervene, and obstructed justice through witness tampering. The beating was caught on police cameras, triggering protests and calls for police reform. Two others have already pleaded guilty to the federal charges and could testify against them.

Nichols, who was Black, died in a hospital on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after he was kicked, punched and hit with a police baton following a traffic stop. Police video released that month showed the five officers, who also are Black, beating Nichols as he yelled for his mother about a block from his home. Video also showed the officers milling about and talking with each other as Nichols sat on the ground, struggling with his injuries.