Ex-Memphis Officer Admits to Fatal Beating of Tyre Nichols in Court Testimony

Emmitt Martin III confessed to assaulting Nichols and lying about it, implicating fellow officers in the deadly incident.

Former Memphis officer Emmitt Martin III testified that he punched Tyre Nichols at least five times while colleagues held Nichols and encouraged the assault.
Martin admitted to lying to his supervisor about Nichols' actions and the officers' use of force, falsely claiming Nichols had reached for his gun.
Nichols, who was pepper sprayed and hit with a stun gun, fled before being caught and beaten by officers, ultimately dying from his injuries three days later.
Martin and Desmond Mills Jr. have taken plea deals and are testifying against their former colleagues, who face federal charges for violating Nichols' civil rights.
The incident was captured on police video, leading to the disbandment of the officers' specialized SCORPION unit and sparking calls for police reform.