Trial reset for July 2026 for $550 million civil lawsuit in Tyre Nichols’ case
Kim Chaney
The lawsuit filed by Nichols’ mother blames the former Memphis Police officers and the department’s “aggressive policing” for his death.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A trial date has been reset for July 2026 in the $550 million civil lawsuit filed by Tyre Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, against City of Memphis officials following his death.
A judge originally set the civil trial for Jan. 27, 2025. On May 1, 2024, Judge Mark Norris reset the trial date for March 24, 2025, according to court records. Then during a hearing on Friday Jan. 3, 2025, it was reset for July 13, 2026.
The lawsuit filed by Nichols’ mother alleges the former Memphis Police officers and MPD Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis “turning a blind eye” to the department’s SCORPION unit’s “aggressive style of policing” even before Nichols’ assault were responsible for his death.
Nichols was beaten Jan. 7, 2023, after a traffic stop by Memphis Police Department officers that was caught on video, and he died three days later. Nichols died of blows to his head, and the manner of death was homicide, an autopsy report released May 4, 2023 showed.
The five officers were fired shortly after the beating. Two other MPD officers were also fired, along with three Memphis Fire Department emergency medical technicians for failing to render aid to Nichols as he struggled with his injuries. All were named as defendants in the civil lawsuit by Nichols’ family against the City of Memphis.
The five former officers who were charged were also part of the SCORPION unit, a crime-suppression team which police officials disbanded after Nichols’ beating.
Officers charged
The five former MPD officers were indicted on federal and state charges for their role in the beating. Two of those officers accepted plea agreements in the federal cases and are expected to plead to state charges.
Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith were found guilty of obstruction during the federal trial but were found not guilty on the remaining charges in the four-count indictment.
Demetrius Haley was found guilty of obstruction, conspiracy to commit obstruction, and lesser charges of the first two counts: deprivation of civil rights and deliberate indifference resulting in serious bodily injury.
Bean, Smith, and Haley, are set to be sentenced on the federal charges Jan. 22, 2025.
The three also still face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression in state court. The trial date is set for April 28, 2025.
Emmitt Martin III pleaded guilty in August 2024 to federal charges of using excessive force and failing to intervene in the unlawful assault, and also conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force. Prosecutors have recommended Martin be sentenced to 40 years in prison for his part in Nichols’ killing. Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy previously said he expected Martin to change his plea on the state charges.
Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty in early November 2023 to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. Mulroy previously said Mills also reached deal with the state to plead guilty to charges of second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and official misconduct. A 15-year sentencing recommendation for Mills covers both the federal and state cases.
Following the verdict in the federal trial, attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Nichols’ family, said they “plan to go full speed ahead” on civil suit.
Federal investigation into MPD
In December 2024, a City of Memphis spokesperson confirmed that city leaders plan to hire Judge Bernice Donald to monitor the Memphis Police Department following the investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
That came after Memphis Mayor Paul Young pushed back against the need for a consent decree with the DOJ after scathing findings in its investigation into MPD, saying the city has already made positive changes since the beating death of Tyre Nichols.
The 17-month federal investigation launched after Nichols’ death found that Memphis officers routinely used unwarranted force and disproportionately targeted Black people.
The investigation determined that MPD officers have violated citizens’ constitutional rights and civil rights, and Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke described the review as “comprehensive and exhaustive, and said MPD’s practices violated the Constitution and federal law.”
Nichols’ beating exposed serious problems in MPD, from its use of excessive force to its mistreatment of Black people in the majority-Black city, according to the investigation report.
A consent decree is an agreement requiring reforms that are overseen by an independent monitor and are approved by a federal judge. The federal oversight can continue for years, and violations could result in fines paid by the city.
A top Justice Department official warned that the DOJ could sue to require reforms of Memphis’ police force should the city refuse to sign an agreement.
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