Tyre Nichols’ Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Accusing Memphis Police Of ‘Modern-Day Lynch Mob’

Topline

Attorneys representing the family of Tyre Nichols—a 29-year-old who was beaten to death by police in January—filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Memphis, its police department and the officers involved in his death, alleging Nichols died “at the hands of a modern-day lynch mob,” as several officers tied to Nichols’ arrest face criminal charges.

RowVaughn Wells, center, the mother of Nichols stands during a press conference after an indictment … [+] hearing for five former Memphis police officers charged in the death of her son, Tyre Nichols.

Key Facts

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleges Memphis city officials “failed” to “properly screen, hire and assign” the officers before their involvement in Nichols’ death.

The lawsuit details “a record of misconduct” for five of the six officers before they were hired by the Memphis Police Department, and claims police chief Cerelyn Davis was wrongfully hired by the city after she was allegedly part of an Atlanta policing unit that would “ambush” and “aggressively” harass residents.

The complaint argues Nichols’ and other Memphis residents’ Fourth Amendment rights were violated because of the city’s failed supervision and vetting of the officers and Davis.

The complaint requests an unspecified dollar amount in damages “to be determined” by a jury in addition to attorney fees.

Memphis city officials told Forbes they would not respond to pending litigation.

Crucial Quote

The complaint refers to Nichols’ death as a “foreseeable product of the unconstitutional policies, practices, customs and deliberate indifference of the City of Memphis and Chief Davis.”

What To Watch For

Former Memphis police officers Taddarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were charged with second-degree murder and other offenses earlier this year. The five police officers pleaded not guilty in February, and will return to court on May 1.

Key Background

Nichols died three days after he was beaten and pepper sprayed numerous times by police officers during a January 7 traffic stop that police said was for reckless driving. Nichols can be heard on police footage saying he didn’t do anything wrong. Nichols and the officers who arrested him are Black. Since his death, 13 Memphis police officers have faced disciplinary charges or have been fired. In addition to the five who were criminally charged, a sixth was “relieved of duty” while seven others face disciplinary charges. The “SCORPION” specialized unit called in for Nichols’ arrest was also disbanded three weeks after his death, following a review by the police department. Memphis City Council also announced a string of public safety proposals and reforms in response, including ordinances establishing procedures for a review of police training and new standards for traffic stops.

Tangent

Other high-profile police misconduct cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements in recent years. Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit from the family of George Floyd, who was killed after a Minneapolis police officer later convicted of murder kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes. Louisville agreed to pay the family of Breonna Taylor $12 million after she was killed by police officers executing a search warrant in her home. Baltimore County awarded $38 million to Korryn Gaines’ family after she was shot and killed by county police in 2016.