Overview

• An August 12 trial date has been set for four former Memphis police officers - Emmitt Martin, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith - each of whom has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges related to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.
• A fifth officer, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice, and is expected to plead guilty to state charges as part of a larger deal; prosecutors are recommending a 15-year prison sentence for Mills whose sentencing rests with the federal judge.
• Defense lawyers suggested that the trial could last a month, however, prosecutor Paul Hagerman maintains that it does not need to be a monthlong trial as the proof is plain and simple.
• The defense for one of the officers, Martin, is contemplating filing a motion for a change of venue due to heavy media coverage of Nichols' beating death in Memphis; this could result in a jury from outside Shelby County hearing the case.
• An autopsy report revealed that Nichols died from blows to the head, labeling the manner of death a homicide; Nichols' beating, captured on police video, triggered protests and revived debate about police brutality and the need for police reform in the US.