Demetrius Haley (photo: Memphis Police Dept)A report made public by the Memphis Police Department indicates that one of the five police officers who beat Tyre Nichols texted a photo of a bruised and bloodied Nichols leaning against a police car to at least five people.
NEW: One of the five Memphis cops charged with fatally beating Tyre Nichols texted a picture of him to at least five people as Tyre sat bloody, dazed and handcuffed on the pavement, police officials said in new docs released today. https://t.co/uTKQg9p4w5
— Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs (@NickAtNews) February 7, 2023
From the New York Times:
In the newly released documents, police officials said that one of the five officers, Demetrius Haley, admitted to sending a photograph of Mr. Nichols to at least five people, including two fellow officers, a civilian employee of the department and a female acquaintance.
Memphis Police Department policy prohibits officers from using personal cellphones while performing patrol duties, such as driving a police vehicle, handling calls for service or conducting traffic stops. The department’s letter said Mr. Haley had used a personal cellphone.
Read the full report here.
Social media folks have perpetuated rumors that Nichols may have been involved with a woman close to Haley – an ex-girlfriend or other romantic interest.
More from Newsweek:
The Memphis Police Department is currently investigating rumors regarding a possible connection between Tyre Nichols and the ex-wife or ex-girlfriend of one of the Memphis cops arrested and charged in Nichols’ death.
On Wednesday morning, Newsweek asked the Shelby County district attorney’s office if it is investigating possible rumors connecting Nichols to the ex-girlfriend or ex-wife of former Memphis cop Demetrius Haley.
Additionally, Newsweek asked about rumors that Haley sent photos of Nichols to his ex-wife following the violent arrest of the 29-year-old Black man.
A spokesperson for the Shelby County district attorney told Newsweek, “All of this is still under investigation. Those are the things, along with the participation of others, that [are] now the subject of our investigation.”
“At this time none of those accusations are confirmed. However, nothing is off the table as this is a very active investigation—and still early in the investigation.” Erica Williams, the director of communications at the Shelby County district attorney’s office.
Newsweek asked about rumors that Haley sent photos of Nichols to his ex-wife following the violent arrest of the 29-year-old Black man. pic.twitter.com/yWDdHDzvW4
— Jack Mobley (@Greenerpalmbea) February 5, 2023
Worse than the perversion of texting a photo of the beaten Tyre Nichols is the Memphis cop’s assumption that the fatal beating was so commonplace that reveling in it would go unnoticed.
— Corbly, Jon (@Corb_The_Lesser) February 7, 2023