According to coroners, black American Nichols (29), who died after a brutal police check, died in the head from “blunt force trauma”. The forensic scientists determined in a published autopsy report that it was a murder.
The 29-year-old was brutally beaten by police officers during a traffic stop in Memphis on January 7 and died in hospital three days later from his injuries.
Internal bleeding in the brain
The autopsy on January 11 found injuries to the head and neck, internal bleeding in the brain, and other bruises and contusions on the rest of the body. Nichols had alcohol in his blood — but the concentration was well below the legal alcohol limit in the state of Tennessee, according to the “New York Times.” The 29-year-old was arrested by police for driving under the influence.
Case sparked protests against police brutality
The case sparked protests and rekindled the debate about police brutality in the United States. The five black police officers involved in the operation were fired and charged. Among other things, they are charged with manslaughter – which in Tennessee corresponds to an intermediate stage between murder and manslaughter. The former police officers pleaded not guilty in February.
Nichols’ family released the results of a self-administered autopsy in January. “We know now what we knew then,” the family’s lawyers said in reference to the coroner’s report.
In the US, the police have long been criticized for being accused of excessively brutal and sometimes racially motivated use of force. In the past, operations that got out of hand in this way repeatedly led to violent protests. The murder of African-American George Floyd in May 2020 sparked nationwide demonstrations against racism and police brutality.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
