Additional Coverage:
Officer Admits Nichols Was Not a Threat
In a federal trial, former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin III testified that Tyre Nichols posed no threat to officers during his fatal arrest. Martin and other officers stopped Nichols for a traffic violation and used excessive force, resulting in his death.
Unjustified Use of Force
Martin revealed that the Scorpion Unit, of which he and the accused officers were members, would exaggerate suspects’ actions to justify the force they used. Despite Nichols’ non-aggressive resistance, Martin said he and his colleagues yelled conflicting commands and used pepper spray and a stun gun.
"Run Tax" and Lying
Martin stated that it was common practice for officers to punish those who ran from them, known as a "run tax." He also admitted that officers lied on reports to justify their use of force.
Policy Violations
Martin acknowledged that Memphis police officers are not trained to punch or kick individuals to handcuff them and that they have a duty to intervene if excessive force is used. These violations could lead to termination or criminal charges.
Training Inconsistencies
Defense attorneys questioned the police training program, highlighting that definitions of active and passive resistance were not explicitly stated in the manual. They also argued that handcuffs could be considered deadly weapons, justifying the use of lethal force.