A Tennessee jury cleared three former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers Wednesday of all state charges stemming from the fatal beating of a Black motorist that sparked protests across the country two years ago.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith were found not guilty of second-degree murder, among other charges, in the death of Tyre Nichols.
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. ordered the men released immediately. All three were overcome with emotion as they hugged one another and their lawyers in the Memphis courtroom.
Each of the three defendants faced a count of second-degree murder, a count of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and a count of official oppression. There were acquitted of all.