Desmond Mills Jr. might not have been able to ‘see’ during Tire Nichols beating: lawyer
An attorney for Desmond Mills Jr., one of five former Memphis cops charged with the fatal beating of Tire Nichols, says his client might not have been able to “see” – because the policemen accidentally pepper sprayed themselves during the vicious beating. .
“Some of the questions that remain will require focusing on the individual actions of Desmond Mills; what Desmond knew and what he could see when he arrived late at the scene; what Desmond knew and what ‘he was able to see after being pepper sprayed; and whether Desmond’s actions crossed any lines that were crossed by other officers in this incident,’ attorney Blake Ballin said in a statement Saturday.
Disturbing footage released by the Memphis Police Department on Friday night shows the savage beating of Nichols – and cops pepper spraying themselves while trying to subdue the 29-year-old motorist.
Ballin’s statement came as the nation continued to rock brutal footage that includes chilling images of the officers bumping their fists and the 29-year-old repeatedly screaming for his mother, who was home less than 100 meters.
The attorney called for “caution and patience” before judging the action of Mills, who, along with four other officers, has been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping after the January 7 beating.
“We are confident that questions of whether Desmond crossed the lines that others have crossed and whether he committed the crimes charged will be answered with an emphatic no,” Ballin concluded.
Mills, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith were indicted by a grand jury and taken into custody in connection with Nichols’ death on Thursday January 10.
The five former cops were seen savagely beating the late father.
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Mills’ attorney, Blake Ballin, said the former cop may have been unable to see.
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Each was charged with seven counts, including one count of second degree murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of official oppression and two counts each of aggravated kidnapping and official misconduct.
They had all bonded Friday morning.
Read more about the Post’s coverage of Tire Nichols’ beaten death
In addition to the fired cops, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. announced the suspension of two deputies and ordered a new investigation into Nichols’ death after viewing the videos.
The ex-cops have been charged with second degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.
Nichols was heard screaming for his mother during the beating.
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Cops were all on bail Friday morning for Nichols’ death.
Cops were spotted pepper spraying themselves while trying to take down the 29-year-old.
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“Having watched the videotape for the first time tonight, I am concerned about two deputies who appeared at the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tire Nichols,” he said in a statement.
The video shows unidentified deputies arriving at the scene after five Memphis cops beat and pinned Nichols to the ground.
The Memphis Fire Department said two unidentified staff members who were involved in Nichols’ “initial patient care” at the scene have been “removed from duty.”
The department said Friday it expects to conclude its internal investigation into the incident “early next week.”
New York Post
