Indianapolis-based drug trafficking organization faces federal charges

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• Judge Mark S. Norris recused himself from the federal criminal case against former Memphis police officers involved in the Tyré Nichols case.
• The reason for the recusal and its impact on sentencing hearings remain unclear.
• Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman has taken over the criminal case.

Federal Judge Mark S. Norris, who has presided over the Tyré Nichols cases since they were filed in 2023, recused himself from the federal criminal case as of June 13.

It is not clear why Norris recused himself from the case, nor is it clear how the recusal will affect the already scheduled sentencing hearings.

Norris, according to federal court records, has not recused himself from the civil lawsuit.

Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman has now been assigned the criminal case ahead of sentencing.

Former Memphis police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, Jr. were all set to be sentenced between June 16 and 17.

Haley, after trial last fall, was convicted of all four counts — using excessive force, being deliberately indifferent to Nichols’ medical needs, conspiracy to witness tamper and witness tampering — but the jury found the use of force and deliberate indifference counts resulted in Nichols’ injury, not his death. Haley could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

Bean and Smith were found guilty of witness tampering and acquitted of the civil rights violations. They could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors have argued the two men should be sentenced to 151 months in prison, or just over 12 and a half years.

Former Memphis police officers Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills, Jr. have requested their sentencing hearings be moved. Mills’ request was granted. Both Martin and Mills pleaded guilty to federal excessive force and conspiracy charges.

Prosecutors recommended 40 years for Mills’ sentence and 15 years for Martin’s sentence.

Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton.

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