MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — A judge has recused himself just days before five former Memphis Police officers convicted of federal charges in the death of Tyre Nichols were scheduled to be sentenced.

U.S. District Judge Mark Norris recused himself from the case late Friday afternoon, but did not say why.

Court records show Judge John Thomas Fowlkes, Jr, and Magistrate Judge Annie T. Christoff have been added.

Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith, both were found guilty of obstruction in the case in October, are supposed to appear in court for federal sentencing on June 16.

Demetrius Haley, found guilty on four counts in federal court, who took a plea deal on the federal charges, is set to appear for sentencing on June 17.

Emmitt Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18. He also took a plea deal for the federal charges.

Desmond Mills now faces sentencing on June 23, according to an order signed by Judge Mark Norris on Monday. Mills, who took a plea deal on the federal charges, was scheduled for sentencing on June 17.

Bean, Smith, and Haley were acquitted of all state charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the beating death of Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop in 2023. Mills and Martin also pleaded guilty to charges at the state level.

The traffic stop that led to Tyre Nichols’ death happened on Jan. 7, 2023. Video shows officers punching and kicking Nichols on the ground near his family’s southeast Memphis home. He died in a hospital three days later.

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.

After the "State" trial, where the three officers were acquitted of all charges, Taddarius Bean and Justin Smith, who were found guilty of obstruction, could face a sentence of up to 20 years.

Demetrius Haley, who was found guilty of more charges, could get up to life in prison.

The other two officers in the Tyre Nichols beating case, Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin, who had a "greater role" in Tyre's beating, pleaded guilty.

They have already asked for a "delay" in their federal sentencing.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/federal-judge-recuses-himself-in-tyre-nichols-case/