News Summary
U.S. District Judge Mark Norris has recused himself from two criminal cases involving former Memphis police officers linked to the death of Tyre Nichols. The recusal occurs prior to sentencing for the former officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, who have faced convictions related to the case. Legal teams express concerns over the reasons behind the recusal, while the fate of the officers will now be handled by Judges Samuel H. Mays and Thomas L. Parker. The situation continues to spark discussions on police accountability.
Memphis, TN – U.S. District Judge Mark Norris has recused himself from two additional criminal cases on June 26, 2025, including the ongoing prosecution of five former Memphis police officers connected to the death of Tyre Nichols. The officers involved are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, who had previously been convicted of charges related to the case.
Judge Norris had presided over the criminal trial, which resulted in convictions for obstruction of justice and unreasonable force against one of the officers. His recusal comes just before sentencing dates were scheduled for the officers following the trial’s conclusion. The legal fate of the former officers is now in the hands of Judge Samuel H. Mays and Judge Thomas L. Parker, who will supervise their respective cases, Antonio Caldwell and Calvin Watkins.
While the official documents do not provide specific reasons for Norris’s recusal, it has sparked inquiries from the legal teams representing the involved officers. After the announcement, attorneys for officer Justin Smith sought to depose Norris to gain further clarification on the recusal decision.
In addition to stepping down from the criminal cases, Judge Norris has also recused himself from a federal civil lawsuit brought by Tyre Nichols’s mother, Row’Vaughn Wells, against the City of Memphis. Judge Sheryl H. Lipman has been appointed to oversee this civil case, along with the criminal proceedings related to Nichols’s death.
The former Memphis police officers were previously acquitted of state charges, including second-degree murder, in May 2025. This series of legal battles has unfolded since the tragic death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, which occurred during a traffic stop in January 2023. The confrontation led to significant public outrage, triggering nationwide protests and calls for police reform, particularly concerning allegations of excessive force used by the Memphis Police Department.
Previously, Judge Norris had been involved in the case since the federal indictments were issued against the officers in September 2023. With his recent recusal, the timeline of the sentencing for the former officers, which includes ongoing sealed motions, may be impacted. The broader community continues to watch these developments closely, underscoring the ongoing dialogue surrounding police accountability and reform in the Memphis area.
The case’s next steps remain uncertain, and stakeholders across the board, from legal teams to community advocates, await the new judicial direction under Judges Mays and Parker. The implications of these proceedings extend beyond the courtroom, reflecting a national conversation about the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
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Additional Resources
- FOX13 Memphis
- Wikipedia: Tyre Nichols
- Local Memphis
- Google Search: Tyre Nichols
- WREG
- Google Scholar: Tyre Nichols case
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tyre Nichols
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
