MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Seven more Memphis police officers may face discipline in connection with Tyre Nichols’ death last month following an encounter with police, city officials said on Tuesday.
Nichols died on Jan. 10, three days after videos released by police showed officers beating him during a traffic stop a few blocks from his family’s home. An independent autopsy determined that the 29-year-old died from “extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating,” WHBQ-TV reported.
Six officers have since been fired, five of which have also been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes related to Nichols’ death, according to WHBQ.
At a city council meeting on Tuesday, city attorney Jennifer Sink said that a total of 13 officers could face discipline connected with Nichols’ death. Officers are expected to be notified about alleged department policy violations by the end of the week, with hearings following next week and written decisions coming after that, Sink said.
“Once we have completed that process then we can, at that point in time, provide basically all the materials that are involved,” she said.
Last month, authorities booked fired officers Tadarrius Bean, 24; Demetrius Haley, 30; Emmitt Martin III, 30; Desmond Mills, 32; and Justin Smith, 28; into jail on charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping in connection with Nichols’ death.
Two other Memphis police officers and two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies have been relieved from duty as authorities investigate the incident. Three Memphis Fire Department employees have also been fired.
In addition to the local investigation, federal and state authorities have also launched probes of the incident.
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