A former Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department (MPD) officer facing federal civil rights charges for the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols pleaded guilty in federal court Friday.
Emmitt Martin III pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges arising from the January 7, 2023, incident. Martin is the second MPD officer to plead guilty 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 the death of Nichols, aiding and abetting each other in using that excessive force, failing to intervene to stop the excessive force, failing to render medical aid, and conspiring or taking action to cover up their misconduct.
On November 2, 2023, co-defendant Desmond Mills entered a guilty plea to civil rights and conspiracy charges.
The remaining three defendants will face a federal trial scheduled for September 9.
In today’s court appearance, Martin pleaded guilty to counts one and three of the indictment. Count one charged Martin with using excessive force and failing to intervene in the unlawful assault. Count three charged Martin with conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force by omitting material information and by providing false and misleading information to his supervisor and others.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 5. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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