U.S. District Judge Mark Norris has stepped down days before the sentencing phase of the ex-cops convicted in the federal trial of the death of Tyre Nichols. No reason for the recusal has publicly been given.
Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith were scheduled to be sentenced in the obstruction charges on June 16th, Demetrius Haley was found guilty on four counts is set to appear for sentencing on June 17th, Emmitt Martin is scheduled to appear for sentencing on June 18th and Desmond Mills is scheduled to appear before the court for sentencing on June 23rd.
Our local news partner, WREG reports that according to Van Turner, an attorney involved in the case, the sentencing has been postponed as the case has been assigned to a new judge.
“This is the first step towards healing the community. This is the first step towards redemption. Hopefully, this will allow law enforcement in the community to start to heal together and to come back together,” said Turner.
