Desmond Mills pleaded guilty to all state counts and two federal counts. As part of the plea deal, he's going to cooperate in the case against four other defendants.
MEMPHIS, Texas — A former Memphis police officer pleaded guilty Thursday in the fatal beating ofin exchange for prosecutors recommending a 15-year sentence, becoming the first of five officers charged in the case to admit guilt.
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, shook as she described hearing how five large men beat her skinny son. Nichols' mother and her husband said the possibility of 15 years in prison is “a start.” Nichols’ stepfather, Rodney Wells, noted that Mills has a family, with three children 6 years old and younger.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said Mills’ cooperation “probably would incentivize” the other officers to consider plea deals too. Mills will also cooperate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into the Memphis Police Department, which Mulroy said should lead to systemic reform.
"The precedent that’s being set now — police officers tell the truth, even if that means piercing the blue veil,” Crump told reporters. Martin used hand signals to indicate to Mills that his body camera was still recording. Mills removed the camera and placed it on the back of a patrol car.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Memphis police officer in Tyre Nichols case agrees to plead guilty in state, federal courtDesmond Mills Jr., a former Memphis police officer, agreed to change his not guilty pleas to guilty in the death of Tyre Nichols in January.
Read more »
Former Memphis Officer Agrees to Plead Guilty to Murder in Tyre Nichols DeathDesmond Mills Jr. is one of five former officers facing criminal and civil charges connected to the fatal January police beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis
Read more »
Former Memphis cop agrees to plea deal in Tyre Nichols' beating deathDesmond Mills Jr. pleaded guilty to both federal and state charges for the beating death of Tyre Nichols.
Read more »
Former Memphis officer pleads guilty to state and federal charges in Tyre Nichols’ deathDesmond Mills Jr. agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice, as well as related state charges.
Read more »
Former Memphis police officer flips plea to guilty in Tyre Nichols’ beating deathDesmond Mills Jr. changes his plea to guilty in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, the first of five former Memphis cops charged to reverse course.
Read more »
Former Memphis police accepts plea deal in Tyre Nichols caseHe is the first of the five ex-officers charged in the case to reverse his original plea.
Read more »