Memphis, TN – A former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officer, Emmitt Martin III, pleaded guilty today in federal court to civil rights and conspiracy charges related to the January 7, 2023, death of Tyre Nichols. Martin is the second MPD officer to enter a guilty plea in this case.
On September 12, 2023, a federal jury returned a four-count indictment against Martin and four co-defendants. The charges included using excessive force resulting in Nichols’ death, aiding each other in using excessive force, failing to intervene, failing to render medical aid, and conspiring to cover up their misconduct. On November 2, 2023, co-defendant Desmond Mills also entered a guilty plea to civil rights and conspiracy charges.
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The remaining three defendants are scheduled to face a federal trial on September 9.
In court today, Martin pleaded guilty to counts one and three of the indictment. Count one charged him with using excessive force and failing to intervene in the unlawful assault. Count three charged him with conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force by providing false and misleading information. A sentencing hearing is set for December 5, where a federal district court judge will determine the sentence, considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Memphis Field Office announced the plea.
The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pritchard and Elizabeth Rogers for the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert, Trial Attorney Andrew Manns, and Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuting.
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Topic: Civil Rights
Components: Civil Rights Division, Civil Rights – Criminal Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), USAO – Tennessee, Western
Press Release Number: 24-1049
Source: Read Original Release
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