Tyre Nichols, a black man who died after a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee, had “bleeding from a massive beating”, according to the preliminary results of a private examination provided by his family’s lawyers. Attorney Ben Crump said in a statement that “preliminary findings indicate that Tyr was bleeding profusely from the blunt force trauma, and the injuries he saw were consistent with what the family and attorneys saw on video.” and the police on January 7. 2023.”

Attorney Ben Crump said in a statement that “preliminary findings indicate that Tyr was bleeding profusely from the blunt force trauma, and the injuries he saw were consistent with what the family and attorneys saw on video.” and the police on January 7. 2023.”

Nichols died three days after being arrested by Memphis police on suspicion of driving, as CNN previously reported. In a statement, police said an altercation occurred between Nichols and officers. After being taken into custody, police said, Nichols complained of shortness of breath and was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. After viewing footage of the incident from body cameras on Monday, family attorney Antonio Romanucci said Nichols “was helpless the whole time. He was a human piñata to these police officers. It was a pure and embarrassing beating of this boy for three minutes.”

Five police officers, all black, and two members of the city’s fire department were fired after Nichols’ death.

The video of the incident could be released this week or next week, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy told CNN’s Laura Coates on Tuesday night, but he wants to make sure his office has fired the people. all involved interviews before they posted the video so it wouldn’t have any effect. and their statements. “A lot of the questions people are asking about what exactly happened will be answered once people see the video,” Mulroy said, adding that he thinks the city will release enough footage to prove it. “Everything happened, from the beginning”. until the end.”

Prosecutors are trying to speed up the investigation and can make a decision on possible charges “at the same time we’re considering releasing the video,” Mulroy said.

Authorities have not yet released an autopsy report on Nichols. CNN asked Crump for a copy of the independent autopsy, but he said a full report is not yet available.

The death of Nichols, 29, on January 10 follows a number of recent high-profile cases involving excessive use of force by police against members of the public, particularly young black men. “It’s terrible. It’s sad. It’s a horrible thing,” Crump said Monday after watching the body camera video with Nichols’ family. “It’s violence. It’s a shame on every level. ”

“What I saw on the video today was shocking,” said Rodney Wells, Nichols’ stepfather. “No father, no mother should witness what I saw today.”

Ravaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother, couldn’t watch the first episode of the movie, Crump said, after hearing Tyr ask, “What did I do?” At the end of the movie, Nichols is heard calling his mother three times, the prosecutor said. Crump, who was joined at the press conference by Nichols’ mother, stepfather, grandmother and aunt, said the family described Nichols as a “good kid” who loved skateboarding, photography and computers.

The question of civil rights continues

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating Nichols’ death, and the Justice Department and FBI have opened a civil rights investigation. Memphis police previously said there was an altercation when Nichols was arrested and that he “fled the scene on foot.” Officers chased him and another confrontation ensued before Nichols was arrested, police said in a statement on social media.

“Later, the suspect complained of shortness of breath, at which time an ambulance was called to the scene. The suspect was taken to St. John’s Hospital. “Francis is in critical condition,” officials said.

Nichols ran from police, his stepfather said, because he was scared. “Our son ran because he feared for his life,” Wells said Monday. “He didn’t run because he was trying to get rid of any drugs, no gun, nothing. He ran away because he feared for his life. And you see the video, you will understand why he is afraid for his life. ”

The fire department employees who were fired were part of Nichols’ “initial patient care” and have been relieved of their duties “while an internal investigation is ongoing,” department public information officer Qwanesha said. Ward to CNN’s Nadia Romero. Ward gave no further details, saying she could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. Asked Tuesday what the firefighters did or didn’t do, Romanucci told CNN there were “limitations” in what he could say.

He added: “For some time before the EMS crews got there, the fire was there. And they were with Tyr and the police there before the arrival of EMS.

Memphis police last week identified the fired officers as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith.

“The horrific nature of this incident does not reflect the good work our officers do, with integrity, every day,” Chief Cerelyn Davis said at the time. Memphis police, the union that represents the workers, declined to comment on the shootings beyond saying that the city of Memphis and the Nichols family “need to know the full story of the events that led to his death and what may have contributed to it.” him.