‘In fed time, you get no parole’: Despite acquittal, justice could still be served in Tyre Nichols’ case

On May 7, 2025, a Tennessee jury acquitted three former Memphis police officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—of all state charges, including second-degree murder, in the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man. 

Nichols died three days after a violent police encounter during which five officers—also Black—kicked, punched, pepper-sprayed, and struck him with a baton while he cried out for his mother. The incident, captured on police video, sparked nationwide protests and intensified demands for police reform. 

Five officers involved in Nichols’ death—Bean, Haley, Smith, Emmitt Martin III, and Desmond Mills Jr.—were convicted of federal charges despite their acquittal on state charges. These convictions stem from violations of Nichols’ civil rights, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to cover up their misconduct. 

Notably, there is no parole in the federal prison system, meaning the officers face substantial prison sentences. Or as one X post put it, “In fed time, you get no parole.”

What happened to Tyre Nichols?

On January 7, 2023, Officers pulled Nichols for reckless driving. All officers belonged to the now-disbanded Scorpion unit. The officers yanked Nichol from his car. Police tasered and pepper-sprayed Nichols before he fled on foot.

When the officers caught up with Nichols, they subjected him to a brutal beating, punching, kicking, and striking him with a baton. Nichols died three days later from his injuries. 

While the state trial resulted in acquittals for Bean, Haley, and Smith, the federal government pursued separate charges. In October 2024, all five officers were convicted on federal charges related to the violation of Nichols’ civil rights and obstruction of justice. Two officers, Martin and Mills, pleaded guilty and cooperated with federal prosecutors. Mills admitted to repeatedly striking Nichols with a baton and failing to intervene or provide medical aid.

Federal sentencing for all five officers is pending. Given the severity of the charges and the lack of parole in the federal system, they face significant prison terms. The Justice Department has recommended a sentence of up to 15 years for Mills. 

Calls for police reform

Nichols’ death and the subsequent trials have highlighted systemic issues within the Memphis Police Department. A December 2024 U.S. Justice Department report concluded that the department routinely used excessive force and engaged in racial discrimination. Civil rights leaders have renewed calls for national police reform, emphasizing that justice must go beyond individual cases and address systemic problems. 

Although the acquittal of three officers on state charges has been met with outrage, the federal convictions ensure that justice will still be served in Tyre Nichols’ case. The absence of parole in the federal system means that the officers will face the full extent of their sentences, reflecting the seriousness of their crimes and the federal government’s commitment to upholding civil rights.