Prosecutors are seeking up to 15 years in jail for the former Memphis police officer who entered a guilty plea on for the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols. This officer is the first of five accused of reversing course.
At a hearing held at the federal courtroom in Memphis, Desmond Mills Jr. entered his plea as part of a bigger arrangement to settle charges in both state and federal court. The decision of the other policemen to follow suit took time to apparent. Three of the cops’ attorneys remained silent, but Emmitt Martin’s attorney, William Massey, stated via email that they “will stay the course” in the former officer’s criminal defense.
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Mills consented to enter a guilty plea to associated state charges after entering a guilty plea to federal charges of using excessive force and obstructing justice. Additionally, Mills consented to work with the prosecution. The judge will decide on the appropriate sentence in the end. Prior to his sentencing hearing on May 22, Mills is still free on bond.
RowVaughn Wells, the mother of Nichols, shook as she related how she heard five big men beat her skinny son.
She shared with the reporters, “This one today was very difficult for me because this was really the first time, I actually heard somebody tell and say what they actually did to my son.”
The deceased mother added, “So, this was very difficult. But I’m hoping that Mr Mills, it was his conscience that allowed him to make this plea agreement, and not because of his lawyers telling him it was the right thing to do.”
The January beating of Nichols, which was captured on police film, was one of several violent incidents between black people and the police that prompted demonstrations and reopened discussions about police brutality and the need for police reform in the US. Black people make up the five former cops who were charged as well.
After being shown on tape punching, kicking, and hitting Nichols on January 7, Mills and four other former Memphis Police Department officers were charged in federal court with obstruction of justice, willful indifference, using excessive force, and conspiring to lie. Two days later, he passed away.
In state court, the five—Mills, Martin, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—entered a not-guilty plea to charges including second-degree murder. The first to consent to a guilty plea is Mills.
The potential of 15 years in jail, according to Nichols’ mother and her husband, is “a start.” Rodney Wells, the stepfather of Nichols, mentioned that Mills has three kids who are under six years old.
During the press conference, Rodney Wells stated, “Fifteen years is a long time with no parole.” He added, “That’s going to affect his family, that’s going to affect him.”
Mills’ cooperation “probably would incentivize” the other cops to accept plea agreements as well, according to Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. Additionally, Mills will assist with the US Department of Justice’s investigation of the Memphis Police Department, which Mulroy stated ought to result in structural change.
