Local leaders react to Tyre Nichols verdict
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All three former Memphis Police officers charged in a state criminal trial after the death of Tyre Nichols were found 'not guilty' on all charges Wednesday by an all-white jury brought in from the Chattanooga area.
Memphis leaders are now reacting. Some are calling the verdict 'heartbreaking.'
NOT GUILTY: Jury returns verdict in Tyre Nichols trial
Tennessee Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis):
'Although we all watched the horrific death of #tyrenichols unfold before our eyes, a jury found the former officers involved not guilty. All I can think about is the family of Tyre Nichols and how incredibly heartbreaking this must be for them. A truly unfathomable pain.'
Tennessee Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis)
'Today's verdict in the Tyre Nichols case left me shocked and surprised, as 'liberty and justice for all' proved to be empty words on a paper.
The most important thing to remember, first and foremost, is that all of the officers have already been found guilty on numerous charges in federal court and are awaiting sentencing on those charges. Today's verdict does not change the fact all are facing considerable time in prison. For those who watched the video and were sickened by the savage beating of Mr. Nichols, we all must remember that our faith—or lack thereof—in the system has been justified. Justice is still being served federally, and today's verdict does nothing to change that.
To Ms. RowVaughn Wells and to every family member and friend, you know we will keep fighting.'
Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis):
'I am heartbroken—and I am angry. What happened to Tyre Nichols was not just a tragedy; it was a brutal injustice. The world watched as his life was stolen in a horrific, senseless beating. And now, his mother, Mrs. RowVaughn Wells, and his loved ones are left to carry a pain no family should ever endure.
We should not have to keep witnessing this. We should not have to keep burying our sons, our brothers, our friends. We are tired of demanding justice that comes too late, if at all. Tired of asking if our lives truly matter in a system that continues to treat them as disposable. Days like these are unbearably cruel. They leave us searching for answers—about the worth of a life, the unbearable weight of losing one, and whether justice truly exists for us all.
Tyre deserved better. And we will fight for his name, for his memory, and for the justice that still feels too far away.'
Tyre Nichols: The video evidence the jury saw
Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis):
'I am shocked. I am gutted. This verdict is a devastating blow to a community still grieving the brutal killing of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died after being violently beaten by members of the Memphis SCORPION police unit.
We all saw the video. We saw Tyre cry out for his mother. We saw officers act without humanity or restraint. This case was supposed to show that police can be held accountable. Instead, this jury's decision leaves too many of us wondering if justice is ever possible.
My heart is with Tyre's family and everyone in our community carrying the weight of this painful outcome. More than ever, Memphis—and communities across our state—need police officers who protect and serve, not intimidate and harm.
As difficult as today's news is, I take some comfort in knowing that all five officers involved still face sentencing in federal court. That process must reflect the seriousness of their actions and the value of Tyre's life.
We have so much work to do to rebuild trust, reimagine public safety, and ensure that accountability in policing is not the exception, but the expectation.'
Tyre's life was stolen, and his family was denied the justice they so deeply deserve. We are outraged, and we know we are not alone. We thank the Memphis community and people across the nation who have stood by Tyre's family, lifted their voices, and demanded accountability.
Your solidarity has been a beacon of hope in this painful journey. We remain fiercely committed to civil justice and ask for your continued support as we press forward with the civil trial and push for meaningful, lasting reforms needed to stop the cycle of police brutality.
Let this be a rallying cry: we must confront the broken systems that empowered this injustice and demand the change our nation — and Tyre's legacy — deserves.'
Shelby County District Attorney's Office:
'The verdicts mark a pivotal moment in a case that has deeply impacted our city, state, and nation.
From the beginning, we believed the evidence supported the charges and pursued this case in the interest of justice and accountability. Tyre Nichols should be alive today. His death was a preventable tragedy that devastated his family and deeply affected our entire community.
We respect the jury's decision and appreciate their service. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, our commitment to justice and to the people of Shelby County remains unwavering. I hope we can learn from this tragedy as Memphis continues to work to improve its policing practices. We remain committed to transparency, justice, and the work of building public trust. Our office will continue to pursue accountability wherever the facts and the law lead us.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to celebrate Juneteenth? Here are the dos and don'ts | Opinion
