MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge Friday granted a motion for a change of venue for three former police officers accused in the beating death of Tyre Nichols.

That means that, while the trial will be held in Memphis, the jury won’t be local and will be brought in from elsewhere. Shelby County criminal court Judge James Jones is not saying where the jurors will come from.

The motion filed by the defense claimed that “pretrial publicity” has “infected potential jurors within the county.”

Taddarius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith were in court for a motions hearing Friday.

They are facing state charges of second-degree murder. Their trial date is set for April 28.

► TYRE NICHOLS COMPLETE COVERAGE

Attorneys for Bean, Haley and Smith did not make a comment after court. Haley remains in custody until is his federal sentencing is affirmed, but Bean and Smith were in the courtroom, across the aisle from Nichols’ parents.

Haley’s attorney attempted to get the second degree murder and aggravated kidnapping charges thrown out.

The judge denied that motion, claiming that it would create a minitrial before the trial. He also denied Smith’s attorney’s attempt to get charges thrown out.

In January 2023, Tyre Nichols was fatally injured by five police officers following a traffic stop. He died three days later.