MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge has granted new federal trials for three former Memphis police officers charged in connection to the death of Tyre Nichols, citing concerns over potential judicial bias.
In a 28-page order filed Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman approved motions for new trials for Taddarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, who were convicted last year of various charges stemming from Nichols’ January 2023 death following a traffic stop in Memphis.
The ruling comes after defense attorneys argued that comments and private meetings involving Judge Mark Norris, who presided over the original trial, created the appearance of bias. Norris recused himself from the case in June, and Lipman was assigned to oversee sentencing proceedings.
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