As ‘Tyre Nichols criminal record’ becomes top search on Google, social media users allege racial bias
- A trending Google search lately is whether or not Tyre Nichols had a criminal record
- Netizens took to Twitter to slam these claims
- They protest that these claims stem from racism
In connection with the killing of Tyre Nichols, 29, five former Memphis police officers were charged on January 26 with second-degree murder. However, the latest trending Google search is whether or not Tyre Nichols had a prior criminal record.
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In Memphis, Nichols was pulled over on January 7 on suspicion of “reckless driving,” according to a previous police statement.
Authorities said that after being stopped, a confrontation took place, and Nichols eventually fled on foot. A second altercation resulted from the five police’ subsequent capture of him. According to the police, Nichols was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and complained of “shortness of breath.” He passed away from his wounds on January 10.
Lawyers for his family said the officers acted like a “pack of wolves” and beat him “like a human pinata”.
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There has been a greater focus on Nicholas’ past and whether he has previously had any contact with the Memphis police department because of the murky sequence of events that led to his death.
However, Opoyi has not found any such evidence to substantiate these claims. Netizens have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on these claims, arguing that it stems from a racial bias. One user tweeted “When you search Google for Tyre Nichols, a top prediction is “tyre nichols criminal record.”
Autocomplete predictions reflect real Google searches. A reaction of many was to Google a murder victim’s criminal record. Clear indications of unconscious racial bias are everywhere.”
Except that Tyre Nichols was a good guy with no criminal record. Get your facts straight before spewing nonsense.
— T (@tee_vee17) January 28, 2023
"A lawless thug?" I don't believe that Tyre Nichols has a criminal record, but if he did that didn't warrant death. He was pulled over for alleged reckless driving, not the crime of the century & certainly doesn't make him a "lawless thug," you disrespectful, brain-addled nitwit.
— Kathy (@KathyCALiving1) January 29, 2023
Tyre Nichols had no criminal record, father of 4 year old, FedEx employee, and ate dinner with his parents almost every night. There was no reason for police to immediately yank him outta his vehicle other than they can cuz he’s black.
— DE Gran (@kbell58) January 29, 2023
The whole Tyre Nichols saga is going to be really sad to watch unfold because he had no criminal record and there was no evidence the stop was warranted, so the only way people will be able to justify it is with straight racism
— Hudson (@hmeyer_21) January 28, 2023
Some users online commented that even if he did have a record, no one deserves to be beaten like that.
Why search for Tyre Nichols’ criminal record? Nobody deserves to be beaten to a pull like that.
— Christen✨ (@livelychristen) January 27, 2023
Cerelyn Davis, the first black woman to hold the position of the police chief, expressed disbelief to the BBC. “Something happened that we can’t explain,” she said.
Davis also criticized the five cops who took part in the incident: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith. “This is not just a professional failing. This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual. This incident was heinous, reckless, and inhumane, and in the vein of transparency, when the video is released in the coming days, you will see this for yourselves,” she said.
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