MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TND) — A former Memphis police officer charged in the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols is expected to change his plea in a federal court.
A change of plea hearing for Desmond Mills was filed on Tuesday, according to court documents obtained by The National Desk.
Mills is one of the police officers that was recorded beating Nichols after a traffic stop.
Mills had previously entered a not guilty plea.
The National Desk reached out to Mills' attorney, Blake Ballin, on Wednesday for comment, but we have not received a response since this news article was published.
Mills is scheduled to officially change his plea in federal court Thursday morning.
All five former members of a Memphis Police Department crime-suppression unit pleaded not guilty to state charges including second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the beating of Nichols, who was punched, kicked and slugged with a police baton after he fled a traffic stop during which he was hit with a stun gun and pepper spray.
Nichols, 29, died in a hospital three days after the beating. An autopsy report showed Nichols died from blows to the head, and the manner of death was homicide. The report described brain injuries, cuts and bruises to the head and other parts of the body.
The five officers, all of whom are Black, were fired shortly after the beating, which was one of several violent encounters between police and Black people that have sparked protests and renewed debate about police brutality and police reform in the U.S.
Editor's Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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