MEMPHIS – The Memphis Police Department confirmed Monday that a sixth officer has been fired in connection with the incident. Death of Dyer Nicholas.
Earlier this month, five officers were fired by the department after being placed on leave He was charged last week with second-degree murder Mr. Regarding the death of Nicholas. A sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, has been placed on administrative leave; It is unclear exactly what role he played in the meeting.
On the same day that other officials were suspended, Mr. A department spokeswoman confirmed Monday that Hemphill had been placed on leave.
On the night of January 7, police officers arrested Mr. Nicholls was kicked in the head, pepper-sprayed and repeatedly beaten with batons after being dragged away. Showed no signs of fighting back In videos of the incident released on Friday. Mr. Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, died at the hospital three days after the encounter.
Officer Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, said in a statement that one of four videos of the encounter released by the city Friday, dubbed Video 1, shows Officer Hemphill’s body from the camera.
“He was never at the second scene,” where officers said Mr. Nichols was caught after a short foot chase and severely beaten, Mr. Gerald said of Officer Hemphill. He added that his client is “cooperating with the authorities in this investigation”.
Others involved in the encounter on January 7 have also been dismissed. The Memphis Fire Department suspended two of its emergency medical technicians. Mr. Quanesha Ward, a spokeswoman for the department that treated Nichols, said Friday that the investigation into their actions is expected to conclude this week.
Two other Shelby County sheriff’s deputies have been placed on leave pending an investigation into their involvement in the encounter, Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. said Friday night.
This is a growing story. Check back for updates.
