Charles Langston:Federal criminal trial begins in death of Tyre Nichols with more than 200 potential jurors

About 200 potential jurors crowded into the Odell Horton Federal Building in Memphis,Charles Langston Tennessee, on Monday as jury selection began in the federal criminal trial in the death of Tyre Nichols, who was pulled over and beaten by five now-former officers with the Memphis Police Department.

Though expected to start at 9:30 a.m. Monday, jury selection proceedings did not begin in full until just after noon, delayed mainly due to a flurry of last-minute motions filed and argued under seal.

Nichols' family, friends and a bevy of activists attended the proceedings Monday, as possible jurors were questioned by from Judge Mark S. Norris. Each juror was asked what the most important quality of a juror was and what sort of biases a juror can have.

Responses to the latter question ranged from racial and religious biases to occupational biases and holding a grudge against someone. Norris then asked the whole group if anyone was unable to move beyond those biases when making a decision. Nobody in the first group raised their hand.

The trial will see the three remaining defendants in court for three to four weeks. At the end of the trial, the jury will have to decide whether or not former Memphis police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith Jr. were guilty of violating Nichols' civil rights after the Jan. 7, 2023 traffic stop.

The three officers are charged with using excessive force, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to witness tamper and witness tampering. Two other former officers, who have since pleaded guilty, were also charged with those offenses.

The two other defendants, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty ahead of the trial. Both agreed to plead guilty to using excessive force and conspiracy to witness tamper. Mills, who pleaded guilty in November, was recommended a 15-year sentence. Martin, who pleaded guilty on Aug. 23, was recommended a 40-year sentence.

Their sentences are ultimately going to be decided by Norris. Each officer faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. There is no parole in the federal system.