MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nearly $1.5 million has been raised by the official GoFundMe account set up by Tyre Nichols' mother and stepfather.
RowVaughan Wells writes in the fundraising post that the money will be used to help the family cope with Nichols' death, as well as help it afford to grieve, and to set up a memorial in his honor.
"This fundraiser will help cover the costs of our mental health services," she writes. "It will also cover time off from our 9-5 jobs because we do not have unlimited PTO. Additionally, we want to build a memorial skate park for Tyre, in honor of his love for skating and sunsets."
The online fundraiser had a stated goal of raising $1,600,000 as of Friday, Aug. 23.
Nichols, a photographer and skateboarding enthusiast, died Jan. 10, 2023, after being pulled over and beaten by five Memphis Police officers on Jan. 7, reportedly suspected of reckless driving.
"During my son's interaction with the police, they beat him beyond recognition until he became unconscious," Wells writes on the fundraising page. "He was then taken to a hospital and immediately placed on life support. . . . His cousin who saw him in the hospital, swollen and disfigured, like 'he was a scary monster.' "
Emmitt Martin III, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith Jr. originally pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging they used excessive force and lied about the beating. They also face state charges of second-degree murder, assault, official misconduct, and kidnapping.
In early August 2024, U.S. District Judge Mark Norris said they are still on track for the scheduled Sept. 9 trial date in the federal case. Aug. 26 was set as a deadline to enter any plea agreements.
The trial on the state charges was originally set for Aug. 12, but a judge later agreed to move the state trial to after the federal trial. A jury trial for the $550 million lawsuit against the City of Memphis is set for March 2025.
A fifth former officer charged in the case, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty in early November 2023 to federal charges of excessive force and obstruction of justice. Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy said Mills also reached deal with the state to plead guilty to charges of second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and official misconduct. A 15-year sentencing recommendation covers both the federal and state cases.
