Media reported that three former Memphis police officers were convicted Thursday on Oct. 3, 2024 in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, but were acquitted of the harshest charges they faced for a death that sparked national attention.
It was said that all were convicted of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating, but Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges. Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but convicted of the lesser charge of violating his civil rights causing bodily injury. He was also convicted of a conspiracy to witness tamper charge that the others were acquitted of.
Is it enough? Is it enough for justice? Is it enough for Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee?
Of course, not.
More police officers need to be convicted in the court of law. Especially such officers on the high-ranking positions in the local law enforcements have to be investigated, indicted, and convicted eventually. More lawyers should be sent to prison. And more lawyers who have sat or are sitting on the judicial benches must pay the price of justice.
That is the reality which the Memphians need to realize.
The Editorial of the Memphis Times
www.memphistimes.org
Published: October 10, 2024, Thursday, at 11:01 PM