CNN
—
Family of Dyer Nicholls Monday is expected to see footage of his arrest earlier this month, giving them the first chance to see what happened before he was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where he died days later.
Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing Nichols’ family, said in a statement that the family will hold a news conference Monday afternoon after meeting with Memphis, Tennessee authorities and viewing the footage.
The Memphis Police Department has fired five police officers In connection with the death of 29-year-old Nichols on Jan. 10, the department said three days later that officers pulled over a motorist, identified as Nichols, for careless driving the day before.
A standoff ensued, and “the suspect fled the scene on foot,” police said said in a statement on social media. Officers chased him, and another confrontation ensued before the suspect was taken into custody, the release said.
“Later, the suspect complained of shortness of breath, at which time an ambulance was called to the scene. The suspect was taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition,” officials said.
Nichols died a few days later. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, it inquires. The Justice Department and FBI have also launched civil rights investigations.
Details of Nichols’ injuries and cause of death have not been released. CNN has reached out to the Shelby County Coroner for comment.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office expects to release video of Nichols’ arrest this week or next, a week after city officials said video recorded by officers’ body-worn cameras would be made public, a spokeswoman told CNN on Monday. The police department’s internal investigation has been completed and the family has had an opportunity to review the records.
“(The video) needs to be made public, it’s just a matter of when,” said Communications Director Erica Williams, adding that the Nichols family is expected to meet with the DA on Monday at 12 p.m.
Williams declined to elaborate on the nature of the video, saying it would be inappropriate to comment on it before the family sees it.
Asked if authorities expected charges against the five officers involved in Nichols’ arrests, Williams said “charges, if any, will be announced later this week.”
In the notice of dismissal of those 5 officers, Police Chief Cheryl “CJ” Davis said “The severity of this incident is not a reflection of the good work our officers do.” An internal review found officers violated department policies on use of force, duty to intervene and duty to render aid.
The Memphis Police Association, the union that represents the officers, declined to comment on the layoffs beyond saying the city of Memphis and Nichols’ family “deserve to know the full details of the events leading up to his death and what contributed to it.” .”
