I agree with numerous people who have stated that they disagreed with the verdict in the Tyre Nichols case in Memphis. The not guilty verdict, concluded by a Chattanooga jury was a devastating miscarriage of justice, as determined by Attorney Benjamin Crump.
Given the circumstances resulting in the death of unarmed Tyre Nichols, people seemed shocked by the verdict. Initially, I was surprised, as well, until I realized that the jury was from Chattanooga.
When it was decided to bring in an outside jury from Chattanooga, the defense must have been delighted. They, and their police officer clients, could not have been happier. That decision was comparable to winning the lottery. Because of the actions of some unlawful officers, Chattanooga has a history of unarmed persons meeting death at the hands of police officers. In those cases, it is rare that police officers are held accountable, if ever.
The more common outcome, of which I am aware, is that the victim is blamed; instances of cover-up and lies are put into motion; and the officers are given a week off with pay. I am not speaking of instances in which the life of an officer is in danger. I am addressing situations, in which there is clearly no harm or anticipated danger to the officers. The outcome of those interactions could have ended with everyone going home to be with their families, the officers and the victims.
I have completed research and conducted presentations focused on police officer misconduct, leading to the death of unarmed citizens. Also, I have written a book, “Excessive Use of Force,” on the topic. More importantly, I have personal experience in one of those cases, which was very similar to the video of George Floyd’s death. On Jan. 2, 2004, my unarmed son, Leslie Vaughn Prater, died when four Chattanooga police officers caused his death from positional asphyxiation. Two autopsy reports determined that Leslie’s death resulted from a homicide. The four officers involved were given a week off with pay, and returned to the positions, even prior to the completion of any investigation. In later years, one was promoted to the position of police Sergeant in the Chattanooga Police Department.
The police chief and mayor in Memphis have asked their citizens to allow the city to heal. I believe that they wished the verdict had been different. As a non-violent person, I hope the city can heal. I can tell you that, for Tyre Nichols’ family, there is no healing. For 21 years, our wound remains open. Families of victims can only hope to learn to live with the pain. The grief journey is doubled. There is the grief of the physical loss of your love one, and the loss of justice. Our sons were treated as disposables.
At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, our family established a scholarship dedicated to helping undergraduate students receive a degree in criminal justice. It is our hope and prayer that potential officers will receive more education, focused on behaviors of critical thinking to preserve life, rather than to destroy. The scholarship is “The Endowed Leslie Vaughn Prater Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice,” which highlights that justice is for all.
Dr. Loretta P. Prater