Current:Home > reviewsEx-officer says he went along with ‘cover-up’ of fatal beating hoping Tyre Nichols would survive -FundTrack
Ex-officer says he went along with ‘cover-up’ of fatal beating hoping Tyre Nichols would survive
View
Date:2025-04-12 05:51:49
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis police officer testified under a plea deal Wednesday that he helped cover up the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols because he wanted to protect his job, and was hoping Nichols would survive and the scrutiny of the officers would simply “blow over.”
Desmond Mills returned to the stand for a second day in the trial of three former colleagues, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, who are charged in the fatal beating. Mills and another former officer, Emmitt Martin, have testified for prosecutors after pleading guilty.
In his testimony Wednesday, Mills said he was “going along with the cover-up ... hoping for the best” and hoping that Nichols would survive and “this whole thing would blow over.” Mills said he told his supervisor that the Nichols arrest was handled “by the book.”
Nichols died in the hospital on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating.
“I had a lot at stake. I needed this job for my family,” Mills said.
Mills noted during his November guilty plea hearing that he has three young children. On Wednesday, he said he was thinking about his wife and kids in the aftermath of the beating. His testimony came a day after he said through tears that he was sorry about the beating of Nichols, saying, “I made his child fatherless.” Nichols’ son is now 7 years old.
The officers used pepper spray and a Taser on Nichols, who was Black, during a traffic stop, but the 29-year-old ran away, police video shows. The five officers, who also are Black, then punched, kicked and hit him about a block from his home, as he called out for his mother.
Mills said the officers had a “non-verbal, mutual agreement” to not disclose the punches and kicks delivered to Nichols in required written forms known as response to resistance reports. He said they also lied about Nichols driving into oncoming traffic and “aggressively resisting” officers “to make us look better.”
In his report, Mills did include his own actions: He pepper sprayed Nichols and hit him with a baton.
Mills said he and his fellow officers failed to render aid and he did not tell doctors who treated Nichols about the use of force officers had used.
Under cross-examination by Bean’s lawyer, Mills acknowledged that he did not jump in to help Bean and Smith put handcuffs on Nichols or stop Martin from punching him.
Mills and Martin have acknowledged lying to internal police investigators about their actions and Nichols’ behavior.
John Keith Perry, Bean’s attorney, followed a line of questioning used by defense attorneys when they questioned Martin, asking whether Department of Justice prosecutors helped them with their testimony during pre-trial meetings.
Perry asked Mills if he believed that prosecutors would seek a reduced sentence if he “did what the government told you to do.”
“Yes,” Mills said.
An autopsy report shows Nichols died from blows to the head. The report describes brain injuries, and cuts and bruises on his head and elsewhere on his body.
Haley, Bean and Smith pleaded not guilty to federal charges of excessive force, failure to intervene, and obstructing justice through witness tampering.
The five officers also have been charged with second-degree murder in state court, where they pleaded not guilty. Mills and Martin are expected to change their pleas. A trial date in state court has not been set.
___
Associated Press reporter Jonathan Mattise contributed from Nashville, Tennessee.
veryGood! (3361)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Shoppers Praise This Tatcha Eye Cream for Botox-Level Results: Don’t Miss This 48% Off Deal
- This $28 Jumpsuit Has 3,300+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews and It’s Available in Sizes Ranging From Small to 4X
- Alo Yoga's New Sale Arrivals Are All You Need to Upgrade Your Athleticwear Game
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Mother’s Day Last-Minute Gifts: Coach, Sephora, Nordstrom & More With Buy Now, Pick Up In Store
- Why Bling Empire's Kelly Mi Li Didn't Leave Home for a Month After Giving Birth
- Flash Deal: Save $175 on a Margaritaville Bali Frozen Concoction Maker
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- This Summer’s Heat Waves Could Be the Strongest Climate Signal Yet
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Fossil Fuel Money Still a Dry Well for Trump Campaign
- Jena Antonucci becomes first female trainer to win Belmont Stakes after Arcangelo finishes first
- Mama June Shannon Reveals She Spent $1 Million on Drugs Amid Addiction
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Tori Spelling's Kids Taken to Urgent Care After Falling Ill From Mold Infestation at Home
- EPA’s Fracking Finding Misled on Threat to Drinking Water, Scientists Conclude
- Mindy Kaling’s Swimwear Collection Is Equally Chic and Comfortable
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Science, Health Leaders Lay Out Evidence Against EPA’s ‘Secret Science’ Rule
China lends billions to poor countries. Is that a burden ... or a blessing?
Sir Karl Jenkins Reacts to Coronation Conspiracy Suggesting He's Meghan Markle in Disguise
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Children's Author Kouri Richins Accused of Murdering Husband After Writing Book on Grief
Today’s Climate: August 30, 2010
InsideClimate News to Host 2019 Investigative Journalism Fellow