Former Memphis police officer Demetrius Haley, along with officers Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith, are facing charges related to the death of Tyre Nichols. Nichols was fatally beaten following a traffic stop, during which he was punched, kicked, and hit with a police baton. During the trial, Brittany Leake, a former girlfriend of Haley and a Memphis officer, testified that she received a photo of Nichols badly injured on the night of the incident. The photo showed Nichols on the ground with apparent injuries, and Leake testified that she was shocked and believed Nichols needed medical attention.

Leake explained that Haley sent the photo in a group chat, which also included her godsister, after the incident. She further revealed that sending such photos is against police policy. The trial also heard that Nichols, who was Black, was pepper-sprayed, hit with a stun gun, and ultimately beaten by the officers about a block from his home. Nichols later died from head injuries sustained during the altercation.

The trial testimony also mentioned that the officers involved were fired by the Memphis Police Department and later indicted on federal charges. Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., two other officers present during the incident, have taken plea deals and are now testifying against their former colleagues. It was highlighted during the trial that the situation escalated quickly, with Haley drawing his gun and forcefully pulling Nichols from his car without clear justification or communication.

Martin, one of the officers who pleaded guilty, acknowledged lying to internal investigators but stated that he told the truth to FBI investigators. He mentioned feeling pressure on his duty belt during the incident but did not see if Nichols was trying to reach for his gun. The officers also face second-degree murder charges in state court, with Mills and Martin expected to change their pleas. The trial for the state charges is yet to be scheduled.