A sixth police officer has been sacked for his involvement in the death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten by police last month.
Mr Nichols was left in a critical condition after several officers punched, kicked and hit him with a baton in Memphis, Tennessee, after he was pulled over on suspicion of reckless driving on 7 January.
The 29-year-old died three days later from his injuries.
A photo of Tyre Nichols at his memorial service in Memphis. Pic: AP
The Memphis Police Department named the sixth officer as Preston Hemphill, saying he had violated department policies on personal conduct, truthfulness, and compliance with regulations regarding the use of a Taser, among other violations.
Hemphill, who is white, had previously been relieved of duty along with a seventh police officer.
Lee Gerald, a lawyer representing Hemphill, said: “While we disagree with this termination, Preston Hemphill will continue to cooperate with all authorities in the investigation into the death of Mr Nichols.”
The lawyer declined to comment on whether Hemphill would also face criminal charges, but said of his cooperation with the investigation: “That speaks for itself.”
Five black police officers have been fired and charged with second-degree murder and other crimes over Mr Nichols’ death, which has reignited a national debate about race and police brutality in the US.
Clockwise from top left: Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III, Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith have been sacked
CCTV and bodycam footage showed them chatting and milling about for several minutes as the father-of-one remained on the ground, but there were other authorities on the scene.
Last week, the Memphis Fire Department said it had fired two emergency medical technicians and an emergency vehicle driver after an investigation found they failed to provide adequate medical care to Mr Nichols.
From left: Robert Long, Michelle Whitaker and JaMichael Sandridge. Pic: Memphis Fire Department
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy previously said other police officers, fire department personnel and others who prepared documentation of the incident may also face criminal charges as more information emerges.
In bodycam footage released by Memphis Police, Mr Nichols was heard screaming “mom, mom” several times as he was beaten. Footage showed police officers using a stun gun, a baton and their fists as they pummelled Mr Nichols.
Read more:
‘Blood will be on hands’ of Congress if bill limiting police officer immunity not passed
Kamala Harris and family members of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to attend funeral
Three emergency workers fired over response to Tyre Nichols
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘I didn’t do anything’, pleads Tyre Nichols
Hemphill’s lawyer said his client had been wearing the body camera that captured the first of four videos released by authorities.
On the initial stop, Hemphill can be heard saying that he had tasered Mr Nichols and declaring: “I hope they stomp his ass.”
The officer appears to fire a Taser stun gun at Mr Nichols after he was dragged from his car and forced to the ground and doused with pepper spray before he broke free and ran away.
The five officers who were later dismissed chased him and participated in the most severe beatings.
