Former Memphis police officer accused in Tyre Nichols case testifies he lied about force used in fatal beating

A former Memphis police officer testified Tuesday that he punched a "helpless" Tyre Nichols at least five times while two colleagues held his arms and said "hit him," then lied to his supervisor about their use of force in a beating that proved fatal.

Emmitt Martin III testified at trial that he was at the traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023, when Nichols was pulled over and yanked from his car. Nichols fled, but Martin has said Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith gave chase and were punching the 29-year-old man without their handcuffs out when Martin caught up with them.

"They were assaulting him," Martin said Tuesday.