The Memphis Police Department has confirmed the termination of the sixth of its officers involved in the death of African-American teen Tyre Nichols, detailing that an internal investigation has shown that he violated multiple departmental policies during the arrest, including personal conduct and truthfulness standards.
Preston Hemphill, who had been on the force since 2018, was fired last Jan. 30 after he was seen on police body camera footage tasering Nichols while being heard saying, «I hope they stomp his ass,» CNN has reported.
Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, confirmed earlier this week that his client was the white officer captured on video in which he is seen firing a taser. However, he was not at the second scene, where five black police officers brutally beat the young man with punches, kicks and baton blows.
Thus, the Tennessee Division of Emergency Medical Services has announced the suspension of two of its workers after they failed to provide emergency care and treatment the night Nichols encountered police.
The medical services division said Robert Long and JaMichael Lamar Sandridge failed to provide basic emergency care for 19 minutes despite the fact that Nichols «showed clear signs of distress, including the inability to sit still and lying face down on the ground several times,» according to the network.
Nichols, 29, was hospitalized on January 7 in critical condition and died three days later after being intercepted by a traffic patrol. The videos broadcast show the blows inflicted by the police on this young man, who was also subjected to electric shocks.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
