An attorney for former Memphis police officer Desmond Mills Jr., who is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal arrest of Tire Nichols, said Saturday that his client never “crossed the lines that others have crossed.”
“The videos released on January 27 have produced as many questions as answers,” attorney Blake Ballin said in a statement to Fox News. “Some of the questions that remain will require a focus on the individual actions of Desmond Mills.”
“We are confident that questions about whether Desmond crossed the lines that others have crossed and whether he committed the crimes for which he is charged will be answered with a resounding no,” Ballin said.
A view from a camera mounted above the intersection where Memphis police caught up with Tire Nichols, who died three days later. Authorities released footage of the deadly encounter between Nichols and police on Friday.
(Memphis Police Department)
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Ballin’s comments came after the release of body camera and streetlight footage Friday showing the violent sequence of events in which a group of Memphis police officers repeatedly beat Nichols while he was restrained with his hands behind his back using batons, punches, and repeated kicks as he lay. on the floor.
At one point in the video, officers could be seen holding Nichols while others exchanged blows to the head.
Nichols, who was pulled over for an alleged traffic stop, was also shocked and pepper-sprayed in an incident that took place three houses from his mother’s house on January 7.
He died three days later in hospital after succumbing to his injuries.
It is unclear what role Mills played in the botched arrest that has been denounced as a “failure of basic humanity” as several officers arrived after Nichols had been beaten and leaned against a police car.
However, none of the police officers attempted to render medical assistance.
Tire Nichols can be seen after the fight, his face swollen and bloody as he sits on the ground in handcuffs, leaning with his back against a car.
(Memphis PD)
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Ballin said it has yet to be determined what “Mills knew and was able to see when he arrived late on the scene,” what he was able to see after he too was allegedly hit with pepper spray, and “whether Desmond’s actions crossed the lines that were crossed.” by other officers during this incident.”
“We continue to urge caution and patience in judging Desmond Mills’ actions,” Ballin said.
Memphis Police Department officers Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were fired Jan. 18 for their roles in the arrest of the late Tire Nichols.
(Memphis Police Department)
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Five officers, including Mills, have been charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Ballin’s comments appear to be the first among the defendants’ representatives to attempt to separate their client from others at the brutal scene.
