Desmond Mills Jr., one of five former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the brutal beating and death of Tyre Nichols, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to two felony charges of obstruction of justice and excessive force.
He is the first of the five officers indicted on federal charges by a grand jury in September to plead guilty.
His cooperation is expected to include pleading guilty to at least some of the state charges, and potentially testifying against the other officers.
The remaining four officers have all pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges.
Five Black officers from the department’s elite Scorpion unit, including Mr. Mills, were soon fired for their roles in the beating.
Persons:
Desmond Mills Jr, Tyre Nichols, Mills, Nichols
Organizations:
Memphis, Prosecutors, Scorpion