A former Memphis, Tennessee, police officer charged with federal civil rights violations in the death of Tyre Nichols pleaded guilty in federal court Friday, officials stated.
Emmitt Martin III admitted to civil rights and conspiracy charges related to the incident that occurred on January 7, 2023. Martin is the second officer from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) to plead guilty in connection with this case.
(2023 News Report)
On September 12, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Martin and four co-defendants on four counts. The charges included using excessive force that resulted in Nichols’ death, aiding and abetting the use of that force, failing to intervene to stop the excessive force, failing to provide medical aid, and conspiring to cover up their misconduct.
On November 2, 2023, co-defendant Desmond Mills also pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges.
The remaining three defendants are scheduled for trial on September 9.
In Friday’s court proceedings, Martin pleaded guilty to two charges: using excessive force and failing to intervene in the unlawful assault (count one), and conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force by omitting crucial information and providing false and misleading statements to his supervisor and others (count three).
A sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 5.
The FBI Memphis Field Office conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pritchard and Elizabeth Rogers for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case.
Also prosecuting the case are Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert, Trial Attorney Andrew Manns, and Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.