The case had raised fears of a social conflagration in the United States. Last January, an African-American, Tire Nichols, was beaten up by multiple police officers. The five police officers charged with murder in the case, in which the White House has become heavily involved, pleaded not guilty on Friday.
The officers, who are themselves black and were fired after the fact, appeared before a judge on Friday in Memphis, Tenn., along with their attorneys, who said they pleaded "not guilty."
They are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. Tyre Nichols' mother was present in the courtroom, as was his lawyer Ben Crump, very involved in the violence cases. policewomen.
Judge James Jones Jr called the assistance "patience." "We understand that there may be strong emotions in this matter, but we ask that you continue to be patient with us. Everyone involved wants the case closed as soon as possible,” he said.
"But it is important that you all understand that the State of Tennessee, as well as each of these defendants have the absolute right to a fair trial, and I will not permit any behavior that would jeopardize that right," he said. warned.
Tire Nichols, 29, was arrested on January 7 by special unit officers in Memphis, in the southern United States, for a traffic violation according to police.
But beaten relentlessly, so much so that he had become unrecognizable according to his family, he died three days later in hospital. Videos of the arrest were made public and broadcast on the country's biggest channels, showing the extent of the young man's ordeal.
The five police officers were charged with murder, aggravated bodily harm, kidnapping with aggravated circumstances, professional misconduct and abuse by a person in possession of public authority.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attended Tyre Nichols' funeral, and the young man's parents were invited to President Joe Biden's grand State of the Union address in Washington.
