The officer drew his gun as he approached Tyre Nichols, the report said.

Memphis, Tennessee. – One of the three Memphis cops who originally detained Tyre Nichols last month admitted he did not witness the alleged reckless driving that served as an excuse for Nichols’ stop, but still approached his car brandishing a gun, according to police documents trying to ban him entry. works in law enforcement.

This stop on January 7 quickly escalated into a beating, and Nichols died three days later.

Officer Preston Hemphill’s own body camera showed that from the start of the traffic stop, he and two other officers approached Nichols with a force that was disproportionate to the alleged offense of reckless driving, according to a statement from a disciplinary hearing that took place before he was detained. dismissed.

Hemphill was fired last week but was not charged for his role in the beating and arrest of Nichols, sparking widespread outrage and reigniting a nationwide discussion about police brutality against blacks. Five other black officers caught on video beating Nichols with fists, kicks and clubs were charged with murder and other offences.

Hemphill did not take part in the second, more violent confrontation, which occurred after Nichols fled the police. But the documents emphasize that on the bodycam, he could be heard saying to his partner: “I hope they rub his ass!”

Details of Hemphill’s actions are contained in accompanying documents attached to Memphis Police Chief Serelyn “CJ” Davis’ Wednesday statement to strip Hemphill, a white man, of his police license so he can no longer work in law enforcement. Hemphill’s lawyer did not comment Thursday because he did not fully read the documents.

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The documents help paint a more complete picture of the first encounter with the 29-year-old Nichols, which included Hemphill, Demetrius Haley and Emmit Martin III. Hayley and Martin were fired last month and charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death, along with Tadarrius Bean, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.

The police chief said she saw no justification in the video of the incident for stopping Nichols in the first place.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Attorney General’s office said Thursday it will review all previous cases “closed and pending” against the five officers charged in the Nichols investigation. It wasn’t immediately clear how many cases would be handled by the Shelby County District Attorney’s office, but there’s at least a chance some cases could be reopened if problems arise.

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New documents say Nichols was prevented from getting out of the car before Hayley forced him out. Martin then grabbed one of Nichols’ wrists and stated that Nichols was trying to grab his gun. This claim was later repeated by Hemphill and Haley, but video evidence disproved it.

As soon as they pulled Nichols out of the car, the officers threw him to the ground, shouting profanity at him. Hemphill threatened to use a taser on Nichols by holding the gun to Nichols’ leg. Martin threatened to break one of his arms. Haley pepper sprayed Nichols in the eyes while he lay on the ground.

By contrast, according to the documents, Nichols “did not use profanity” or show any “signs of violence”. When Nichols managed to free himself and began to run away, Hemphill used his taser, although police policy forbids the use of a taser against an escaping subject or as a means to gain compliance with someone who is not violent.

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The judge also accused Hemphill of using a stun gun while Nichols was in the middle of the street. “You are putting all participants at risk of serious bodily injury due to oncoming traffic,” the statement said.

A few minutes later, Bean, Mills, and Smith caught Nichols a few blocks away and started beating him. Hayley and Martin joined them, while Hemphill stayed with the car.

In all, 13 officers have either been disciplined or are under investigation for their role in Nichols’ death. Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies were also suspended, and three Memphis Fire Department emergency medical technicians were fired.

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Loller reported from Nashville.