Ex-officer testifies in tears he's sorry for Tyre Nichols beating. 'I made his child fatherless'
A former Memphis police officer who has pleaded guilty to violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights testified in tears Tuesday, saying that he made Nichols’ young son fatherless, and that he’s sorry and wishes he had stopped the punches
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis police officer who has pleaded guilty to violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights testified in tears Tuesday, saying he left Nichols’ young son fatherless, that he was sorry and that he wishes he had stopped the punches.
Desmond Mills took the stand in the trial of three former colleagues, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, who are charged in the January 2023 beating. As video of the pummeling played, Mills testified in the most emotional moment for a former officer so far in the trial, now in its third week. The judge paused and gave him a water bottle and a prosecutor gave Mills a moment to compose himself.
“I made his child fatherless,” said Mills, who used a baton to strike Nichols. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I know sorry can’t bring him back.”
Mills said it hurt to know he was a part of that beating.
