During the trial of former Memphis police officer Demetrius Haley, it was revealed that he sent his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Leake, a photo of Tyre Nichols shortly after Nichols was severely beaten by police during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. Leake testified that while on the phone with Haley, she overheard a commotion at the scene; after their call, he sent her a graphic image showing Nichols injured and bloodied, which she described as difficult to look at. The image was displayed in court, depicting Nichols with his eyes closed and blood near his mouth. Haley, along with officers Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith, faces federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice, all of whom have pleaded not guilty. The incident, which led to Nichols' death, was captured on video and sparked significant public outcry for police reform. Leake noted that sending such images violates police policy and mentioned that Haley had previously shared other disturbing images with her.