Judge orders new trial for officers in fatal Tyre Nichols assault

August 29, 2025

A federal judge has ordered a new trial for three former Memphis police officers who were convicted of witness tampering in the Tyre Nichols case, citing potential bias after the previous judge allegedly made comments suggesting one defendant was a gang member. Nichols, 29, died in 2023 after being beaten during a traffic stop, prompting nationwide protests against police brutality. The three officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr.

Who is affected

Tyre Nichols (the 29-year-old victim who died after being beaten)
The three former Memphis police officers (Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr.)
The other two officers involved (Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr.)
The Memphis Police Department
The communities that protested police brutality nationwide

What action is being taken

Judge Sheryl Lipman is ordering a new trial for the three convicted former officers
Judge Lipman has taken over the federal case after Judge Norris recused himself
The judicial system is addressing concerns of bias in the original trial

Why it matters

The case involves the death of a citizen during a police encounter, raising issues of police accountability and justice
The alleged judicial bias could have affected the fairness of the original trial
The case sparked nationwide protests over police brutality
The federal convictions carry potential lengthy prison sentences
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the justice system's handling of police misconduct cases

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the new trial being ordered.

Read full article from source: BBC