Ex-Memphis Police officers dismissed from civil lawsuit over Tyré Nichols' death

Nichols' mother voluntarily dismissed claims against the officers to keep the trial on schedule.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the ongoing challenges in achieving justice and accountability in cases of police brutality.The dismissal of officers from the civil lawsuit over Tyré Nichols' death signals a shift in focus towards systemic police accountability.Memphis Today

The former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death have been dismissed from the civil lawsuit filed by Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells. Wells reportedly filed a motion for voluntary dismissal in March 2026 so that the trial could stay on schedule, as events outside of her control made it impossible to keep the November 9 trial date if the criminally-stayed officers remained part of the case.

Why it matters

The dismissal of the officers from the civil lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Nichols' death. It suggests that the focus of the trial will shift away from the individual officers and towards broader systemic issues within the Memphis Police Department.

The details

A federal judge granted the motion for voluntary dismissal of claims against former officers Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, and Desmond Mills Jr. on Friday. The order states that the dismissal was necessary to keep the trial on schedule, as events outside of the plaintiff's control made it impossible to do so if the criminally-stayed officers remained part of the case.

  • Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, filed the motion for voluntary dismissal on March 27, 2026.
  • The federal judge granted the motion on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

RowVaughn Wells

Tyré Nichols' mother, who filed the civil lawsuit against the former Memphis Police officers.

Justin Smith

One of the former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death.

Demetrius Haley

One of the former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death.

Tadarrius Bean

One of the former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death.

Emmitt Martin III

One of the former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death.

Desmond Mills Jr.

One of the former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyré Nichols to death.

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The takeaway

The dismissal of the officers from the civil lawsuit suggests that the focus of the trial will shift away from the individual officers and towards broader systemic issues within the Memphis Police Department. This development highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving justice and accountability in high-profile cases of police brutality.