Legal Team for Tyre Nichols Releases Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Beating Death of Tyre Nichols

Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the beating death of Tyre Nichols by Memphis Police Department officers:

“It is with heavy hearts that we approach the one-year commemoration of the horrific beating death of Tyre Nichols by members of the Memphis Police Department. What happened on January 7, 2023, was an unspeakable and inhumane tragedy that needlessly took the life of a gentle and peaceful person who was loved by so many. We extend our continued condolences to his beautiful family. We also see this weekend as one that provides hope, as the family is touched by the many gestures in Memphis and around the world to remember Tyre's generous spirit.

“Our legal team is fiercely committed to fighting for justice for Tyre and vigorously restate our assertions that the Scorpion Unit officers involved acted at the direction of a Memphis Police Department policy that violated the civil rights of innocent civilians and caused needless pain to many. Work continues on the civil litigation.

“Additionally, we are deeply disturbed by the recent revelation by former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland that he actively avoided signing and enforcing the Driving Equality Act in honor of Tyre Nichols that the Memphis City Council passed in Spring 2023, directing meaningful reform in how Memphis Police should conduct and report traffic stops. We will hold Mayor Paul Young accountable to his pledge to enact these reforms. These types of commonsense changes to police policies and practices are essential to establishing trust between communities and police. Our team has actively called for consistent, national systemic police reform since the murder of George Floyd. Had changes to law enforcement policies been enacted in 2020, we strongly believe Tyre Nichols would be alive today.”