MEMPHIS, Tenn. –An attorney for former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin said his client was driven by anger the night Tyre Nichols was kicked, punched, and hit with a police baton during a traffic stop.
Martin is the second former cop charged in the fatal beating to plead guilty.
Martin was the first to confront Nichols on January 7, 2023. Outside the Federal Courthouse Friday, Martin’s attorney said Martin was taking responsibility for his actions.
“Driven by fear, fear of what he had done, fear of the consequences of using that excessive force, Mr. Martin tried to cover it up,” said Stephen Ross Johnson.
Martin pleaded guilty to two of the four counts against him, excessive force and conspiracy to witness tamper.
In exchange, prosecutors dropped the other counts and recommended a sentence not to exceed forty years. Nichols’ mother said hearing Martin admit to his guilt was good.
“I do know Martin and Haley were one of the main people that did the things to my son,” said RowVaughn Wells.
Another former Memphis officer, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty November 2 to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who recommended a 15-year prison sentence.
Three other fired officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, remain charged with federal civil rights violations. They also have been charged with second-degree murder and other offenses in state court. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Attorneys representing the Nichols family say the City of Memphis should be on notice.
“What responsibility does the city of Memphis bear for this heinous act that was condoned,” said Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump.
The District Attorney’s Office released this statement regarding the plea agreement:
“Today, Emmitt Martin entered a guilty plea in federal court, which will lead to a substantial and well-deserved sentence. From the beginning, our office has closely coordinated our state prosecution with the federal prosecution. We expect that at the appropriate time, Martin will enter a similar plea in state court.”
The D.A.’s Office says that though the guilty plea marks a step toward closure for the family of Tyre Nichols, there is still more work to be done.
“I’m hoping that after today, the other three officers will look in the mirror and say they are guilty because I know that they are,” said Tyre’s mother, RowVaugn Wells. “Until we get justice, I won’t be content.”
Martin still faces charges in state court. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5.