A Death in Memphis

 

Tyre Nichols, a black man, died in a Memphis hospital. We do not yet know why he died because the his autopsy report has not yet been released. 

What we do know is that black Memphis police men stopped Tyre when he was observed to be driven his automobile recklessly. We do know that he repeatedly refused to obey police command and assault police officers. We do know that he escaped their containment and ran from the scene. We do know that he was captured and again repeatedly refused to obey police command and assault police officers. We do know that the police officers beat the shit out of him until he complied.Finally we do know that he was taken to a hospital where he died, cause of death yet unknown.

I am of the opinion that the police used excessive force in their apprehension of him. But I can understand why they did. Memphis is one of the most violent cities in the US, especially among young black males, and the police are find themselves in this situation all too often. Being young, black, male, running from captivity, resisting arrest, assaulting the police, and refusing to show your hands when ordered to do so causes a great among of anxiety among police. But in this case I am of the opinion that their emotions got the better of them and their used excessive force in his capture.

What we do NOT know is what prompted Tyre Nichols to resist arrest in the first place and I will not speculate what did until I see more details, including the autopsy report, in the coming weeks and months.

But at the moment, I do not see police behavior as being murder. I do not see any intent to cause his death but only to apprehend him.

I would not wish being a police officer on anyone these days.