Emmitt Martin III, a former Memphis police officer, testified in a federal trial that he fatally beat Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop in January 2023 and subsequently lied about the incident. Martin admitted to punching Nichols at least five times while two colleagues held him, describing Nichols as 'helpless' and asserting the officers were using excessive force. He expressed anger at Nichols for fleeing and acknowledged that their actions violated police protocols. The three other former officers involved—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—have pleaded not guilty to charges related to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice. Martin and another former officer, Desmond Mills Jr., have accepted plea deals and are testifying against their former colleagues. The trial is examining the broader implications of police conduct and accountability in the wake of Nichols' death, which was captured on video and sparked public outrage.