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‘An obscene abuse of justice’: Internet fumes as 5 accused ex-Memphis cops plead not guilty in Tyre Nichols murder

All 5 entered not-guilty pleas for the charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, and official misconduct and oppression

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: The five former police officers appeared in court for the first time and pleaded not guilty in Memphis on January 17. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was taken from his car during a traffic stop last month and brutally beaten before being killed.

To charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression, all five entered not-guilty pleas. However, since all the officers entered not-guilty pleas, the internet was in a frenzy and ignited outrage through tweets. 

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'This is an obscene abuse of justice'

One of the users wrote, "Cowards! Wearing masks when no one else in the court was! They weren't wearing masks when they were murdering #TyreNichols ... 5 ex-cops charged over Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty." The second user wrote, "This is an obscene abuse of justice - we can all see they are guilty AF. 5 ex-cops charged over Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty." The third Twitter user wrote, "5 ex-cops charged over Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty Is this a JOKE ?????????????????????????????" The fourth user wrote, "5 ex-cops charged over Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty https: This is what Colin Kapernick was protesting about! POLICE brutality!!!!! Stop trying to change the narrative white America!!" The five former police officers pleaded not guilty and were once more released on bond before their upcoming hearing on May 1, as per reports.

What happened with Tyre Nichols?

Nichols passed away on January 10, three days after being stopped for what the police claimed to be reckless driving. Demetrius Haley, one of the officers, was seen on bodycam video yanking Nichols out of his car with force, knocking him to the ground, and pepper-spraying him before another officer, later fired but not criminally charged, shot Nichols with a Taser, as reported by CBS News.

Although Nichols was able to flee, officers quickly located him and brutally beat him with a baton, punches, and kicks to the head. Nichols never gave any indication of resistance or retaliation, according to bodycam footage and footage from a nearby police surveillance camera, as reported by NPR. He writhed in agony after the beating for about 20 minutes before medical personnel started tending to him. The five officers who were seen beating Nichols were all part of the Memphis Police Department's specialized crime-fighting team, which has since been disbanded. They were immediately fired and then charged, as reported by NewYorkTimes.

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