Opinion | MPD needs to address rumors surrounding Tyre Nichols' case

In the immediate aftermath of the fatal police beating of Tyree Nichols, social media chatter claimed the incident represented far more than just a group of out of control officers. It was a personal thing, perhaps even a vendetta against Nichols. Now official police documents are lending credence to what had been social media rumors. Demetrius Haley, one of the officers fired and later charged with second degree murder, took photographs of Nichols after the beating and shared them with at least five people, including a female acquaintance. It's just one of many violations allegedly committed by the officers involved in Nichols' assault. The now former cops also turned off their body cameras during the incident and later filed false police reports. But it's the image captured on a sky cop camera of Haley taking two photos of Nichols that fees the notion of a personal vendetta.

We don't know that for sure, which is why it is important for police chief, Seryl and C.J. Davis, or someone in authority, to address whether Haley had a personal beef with Nichols. Surely investigators know by now if there was a personal connection involving Haley, Nichols and the female acquaintance, and the public deserves to know as well. The horrendous beating of Nichols captured the nation's attention, including the president and his administration. And it's time for local authorities to get all pertinent information out in the open. I'm Otis Sanford and that's my point of view.

opinion, crime