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DA: 5 Memphis cops 'all responsible' for Tyre Nichols' death

38 Comments
By ADRIAN SAINZ and REBECCA REYNOLDS

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38 Comments

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Yeah--you are outside looking in, and do not have a realistic grasp of the situation in a society in which you have no connection and thus no voice that would be listened to by decision makers there..

I have an opinion and you can ignore it or respond to it. You always choose to respond to it.

Always the same response, but you always respond.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

BlacklabelToday  12:04 pm JST

If there were ever a time to comply with police as a Black man, it would be when every officer is also Black. 

that is a near miraculous situation in the Deep South where he could have safely and confidently just complied.

This is a good point.

People here don't understand the demographics of a city like Memphis, which has a larger black population than white.

Police are police and they treat suspects as suspects, regardless of race.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

that is a near miraculous situation in the Deep South where he could have safely and confidently just complied

There is no such thing as confidently complying with a cop for an African American.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If there were ever a time to comply with police as a Black man, it would be when every officer is also Black.

that is a near miraculous situation in the Deep South where he could have safely and confidently just complied.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Ok, pushing all the absolute nonsense you just spouted, do you think a suspect should run from a cop when he tells them to stop?

I have and got away with it a few times. If you think the laws are bs and rigged against you, it is logical to take your chances and run because statistically you might pull it off, where if you submit you know you are going to get beaten and charged with everything in a cops vivid imagination whether you did it or not. Look I have seen cops lie through their teeth in court. More than once. They always lie and the judges never believe you. Ever.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Regardless of flight from officers, and that is a BAD idea, semi-stated proposition that this is somehow the victim's fault is preposterous.

There are well laid-out, practiced guidelines for use of force and what level of force is appropriate given the threat level.

These guys didn't follow the guidelines of any police department anywhere in the country. They just used their badges (more technically "under color of law") as an excuse to beat a man to death who was not a threat to them or to anyone else.

If one is going to wear a badge, one is subject to the rules of procedure and the law. Don't like it? Don't put on the badge.

We don't (or at least shouldn't) live in a police state and fleeing the police, which again is a bad idea, is NOT an excuse for a 3 min. beat down by a gang who happen to wear badges resulting in death.

To postulate otherwise is beyond moronic.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

For a large chunk of the African American community in the US, the view is that the laws of the US and their police are not there to benefit them but to hold them down.

Can you prove that? Do you speak for all departments? How about the black ones? They want to hold their own people down?

Jim Crow is not that far in the past

But it's in the past and when do we turn the page? 20 or 400 years later?

and the decimation of the Voting Rights Act by conservative white, cough cough, legislators and "judges" simply reinforces that view. The cops are just a means to protect white man's wealth and deny African Americans any access to that wealth.

Ok, pushing all the absolute nonsense you just spouted, do you think a suspect should run from a cop when he tells them to stop?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Bass, if you want voluntary compliance with the law citizens have to have to buy into them, not have them imposed on them from above. For a large chunk of the African American community in the US, the view is that the laws of the US and their police are not there to benefit them but to hold them down. Jim Crow is not that far in the past and the decimation of the Voting Rights Act by conservative white, cough cough, legislators and "judges" simply reinforces that view. The cops are just a means to protect white man's wealth and deny African Americans any access to that wealth.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Just curious how many of you think most African Americans think the laws are written and government policies passed with their interest in mind? The view of many African Americans is that the nation is governed by whites, for whites and "white man's law' is not theirs. Voting districts are diligently gerimandered to deny them representation in proportion to their numbers in the population. Their history in the US is distorted or not told at all (example is Florida banning an AP History course). Schools and public infrastructure in black neighborhoods are underfunded compared to white neighborhoods. And the police treat them worse than they treat any other ethnic or racial group in the US. Does it surprise anyone that an African American would run from a US police officer? They know nothing in US law is designed to protect them and indeed much of that law is designed deliberately to keep them down. But the self righteous here tut tut about how bad it is to run from a cop. Most here probably don't know how often running works. I've done it. More than once. I was young, dumb and afraid. I dig it. You can run and maybe escape getting beat, or you can submit and KNOW you are going to be beat, and charged up the wazoo with everything the cop can think of, whether it is true or not, and no judge or jury is going to believe you because you are young and black. Obviously you are a menace and deserve whatever the judge metes out.

So basically you just ran off a lot of excuses as to why blacks shouldn't listen to cops? It doesn't matter what they feel or think, you obey and follow the officer's instructions and if you have any complaints about their conduct then take it up later with their department and file a report. It's not that hard, and when people make excuses for bad behavior it doesn't help the overall problem.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

why would one think this as a Black man, when all 5 police officers were.......Black?

he really thought 5 Black police officers would do that to him if he complied?

I think they’re all the same. No amount of lipstick is going to change the fact they’re….

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

you posted on the California killings

First of all stop defending the police, that is the worst thing you could do to any society.

> Second, put a stop to no cash bail

> Third, hire more police, and don’t restrain them, let them use whatever force they need to bring a situation under control.

> Fourth, half district attorneys, that will prosecute criminal activity and not push for the shortest sentence.

> Fifth, increase the penalty for repeat offenders., And give them lengthy probation if they violate any terms of their probationary.

That is a police state.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Bob FosseToday  11:25 am JST

Thus is makes no sense to complain that patrol police don’t have these resources. 

It makes sense as an American, and concerning police in America.

Do you see were this is going?

Yeah--you are outside looking in, and do not have a realistic grasp of the situation in a society in which you have no connection and thus no voice that would be listened to by decision makers there..

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

 You can run and maybe escape getting beat, or you can submit and KNOW you are going to be beat, and charged up the wazoo with everything the cop can think of, whether it is true or not, and no judge or jury is going to believe you because you are young and black.

why would one think this as a Black man, when all 5 police officers were.......Black?

he really thought 5 Black police officers would do that to him if he complied?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

This makes no sense, as Americans know when they get pulled over for a traffic stop they are not being shot at with military equipment, not being tear gassed, and not having k9s attack them, unless they are doing something to civilians or the police which would require such response.

Thus is makes no sense to complain that patrol police don’t have these resources.

Do you see were this is going?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Just curious how many of you think most African Americans think the laws are written and government policies passed with their interest in mind? The view of many African Americans is that the nation is governed by whites, for whites and "white man's law' is not theirs. Voting districts are diligently gerimandered to deny them representation in proportion to their numbers in the population. Their history in the US is distorted or not told at all (example is Florida banning an AP History course). Schools and public infrastructure in black neighborhoods are underfunded compared to white neighborhoods. And the police treat them worse than they treat any other ethnic or racial group in the US. Does it surprise anyone that an African American would run from a US police officer? They know nothing in US law is designed to protect them and indeed much of that law is designed deliberately to keep them down. But the self righteous here tut tut about how bad it is to run from a cop. Most here probably don't know how often running works. I've done it. More than once. I was young, dumb and afraid. I dig it. You can run and maybe escape getting beat, or you can submit and KNOW you are going to be beat, and charged up the wazoo with everything the cop can think of, whether it is true or not, and no judge or jury is going to believe you because you are young and black. Obviously you are a menace and deserve whatever the judge metes out.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Bob FosseToday  11:02 am JST

If cops need military caliber equipment, tear gas or k9s for a traffic stop to somehow manage to apprehend suspects without beating them to death they should not be cops.

This makes no sense, as Americans know when they get pulled over for a traffic stop they are not being shot at with military equipment, not being tear gassed, and not having k9s attack them, unless they are doing something to civilians or the police which would require such response.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

You're not on the streets and you don't know what these cops go through, my brother is a cop and there's always that concern something bad can happen, been on many ride alongs and it's not as easy as people think it is. Again, restrain them in what they are allowed to do and you will see thugs take advantage of that.

All cops everywhere have a concern that something bad could happen. That’s why they have training.

There were 5 cops involved in Nichols’ death. You are suggesting FIVE cops needed military weapons, tear gas and K9s to apprehend 1 man without beating him to death. 5 cops for a traffic stop. Defund the police? It seems they have enough manpower already.

Your personal anecdotes as usual are meaningless.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who founded and runs the National Action Network and will deliver the eulogy at Nichols’ funeral service next week, called the charges “a necessary step in delivering justice” for Nichols, who was an avid skateboarder and father to his 4-year-old son.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

These incidents make black drivers afraid when they are pulled over.

So what? That doesn't give any justification to run from a cop, none.

If cops need military caliber equipment, tear gas or k9s for a traffic stop to somehow manage to apprehend suspects without beating them to death they should not be cops.

You're not on the streets and you don't know what these cops go through, my brother is a cop and there's always that concern something bad can happen, been on many ride alongs and it's not as easy as people think it is. Again, restrain them in what they are allowed to do and you will see thugs take advantage of that.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

That said, personally, I will wait to see the video before I form an opinion about the appropriateness of the officers' actions. I will say for now, that neither driving recklessly (the reason for the original traffic stop) or resisting arrest justify police applying any force over and above that required to apprehend and subdue the suspect. They certainly don't carry a death sentence. The fact that these officers have been charged indicates that they overstepped.

I am not saying they didn't from what we know so far.

And aren't you someone who (like me) strongly supports the idea that everyone deserves a fair trial and a rigorous defense?

Of course, but that doesn't mean I think the victim was justified in running from the cops either.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If cops need military caliber equipment, tear gas or k9s for a traffic stop to somehow manage to apprehend suspects without beating them to death they should not be cops.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Remember the woman cop who pulled a driver over and then shot him dead?  Daunte Wright's father calls Kim Potter's two-year sentence for manslaughter a "slap on the wrist".

These incidents make black drivers afraid when they are pulled over.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In the nation's Capitol, here are some of the new rules that they are introducing to the police.

A ban on the use of any chokehold or neck restraint by a peace officer.

Proposed changes to the use of police K-9s, including a ban on using K-9s for crowd control.

Limiting the use of tear gas by police to riots, barricaded subjects, or hostage situations, with several circumstances or conditions that must be met before the tear gas can be deployed. If the riot is occurring outside a jail or other correctional facility, the highest elected executive of the county where the institution is sited must first give authorization.

The bill also bans the acquisition or use of any military equipment by a law enforcement agency. Any military equipment already in the possession of an agency must be returned to the federal agency where it was acquired or destroyed.

This ban specifically includes “firearms and ammunition of .50 caliber or greater.” One Washington officer who serves as the firearms trainer for his agency noted that this prohibition effectively eliminates the shotguns and less-lethal guns used by his agency: “A 12-gauge shotgun is .50 caliber. I have to pull all the shotguns and less-lethal weapons out of our cars, and we have no substitute weapon to replace them.”

The bill also forbids any peace officer from engaging in a pursuit unless there is probable cause to believe an occupant of the vehicle has committed or is committing a violent offense or sex offense, or there is reasonable suspicion that a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a “driving under the influence” offense.

These new rules are setting cops up, no wonder so many are leaving the force and when that happens you will see a rise in firearm sales among the people. If there are no police to protect them then the people will have to take matters into their own hands.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Don’t blame the victim. 

I do think the victim does bare "some" responsibility without a doubt

Police have training how to detain or arrest a suspect without beating them to death. 

At the same time, you don't run from a cop when he tells you not to or you don't run, in doing so you are not escalating the situation

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

If the police did something illegal they should be held accountable. No surprise here.

Personally, though, I wouldn't run from the police.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Bass - it is perfectly legal to give a middle-finger to police (or anyone). Same thing with dissing (for the most part, with some exceptions).

https://firstamendmentwatch.org/sixth-circuit-a-raised-middle-finger-is-free-speech/#:~:text=Giving%20the%20middle%20finger%20is,a%20federal%20appeals%20court%20ruled.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As brutal and as horrific as the killing was, it wouldn’t have happened if the guy didn’t try to run and resist arrest. When a cop officially detains you, never run or try to confront a police officer, you’re not going to win.

Don’t blame the victim.

Police have training how to detain or arrest a suspect without beating them to death.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As brutal and as horrific as the killing was, it wouldn’t have happened if the guy didn’t try to run and resist arrest. When a cop officially detains you, never run or try to confront a police officer, you’re not going to win. For the life of me, I just don’t know why some people think they can get away without any repercussions. 

Says the white guy. For African Americans the outcome is the same whether you run or whether you submit from the outset. It doesn't matter because the police are going to beat you one way or the other. Might as well run and hope you can outrun them. And yeah, when I was younger I've done a runner a couple of times and gotten away with it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As brutal and as horrific as the killing was, it wouldn’t have happened if the guy didn’t try to run and resist arrest. When a cop officially detains you, never run or try to confront a police officer, you’re not going to win. For the life of me, I just don’t know why some people think they can get away without any repercussions. As long as some of these people think they can dis a cop, throw the middle finger up, and just defy them, this won't be the last time we have a tragedy like this.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

RIP to the victim. Glad we are holding the perpetrators to account. Police and other public servants need to be impeccable in their behavior.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Another brutal police killing. Throw the book at them.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Had the police officers been white, Memphis would've been in flames by now.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I wonder if Al Sharpton goes down there and protests the senseless killing.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

How many police officers got away with murder before body cams became commonplace?

Far too many to count. I remember the case of a black motorist with an outstanding warrant who foolishly ran away from a cop in S. Carolina. He calmly drew his side arm and fired 6 times as he ran unarmed killing him.

He then walked to the dying man and removed his teaser and tossed at the dying man's feet. He would have walked if a passerby had not captured it all on his phone.

That these police were fired immediately gives me hope, as does the response of the DA.

But I fear the public response. The rumor is the beating is worse and more graphic than the Rodney King video.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

5 down, certainly many more to go. How many police officers got away with murder before body cams became commonplace?

Knowing what happens to police officers in prison should be incentive enough for them to fly straight.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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