At trial, defense attorneys emphasized that Martin kicked and punched Nichols several times in the head. In addition to beating Nichols, prosecutors also said the officers failed to intervene and failed to tell medical personnel that Nichols had been hit repeatedly in the head. Under cross-examination, he indicated he would not have struck Nichols if Nichols had put his hands behind his back. Defense lawyers have argued that the fatal beating would not have taken place if Nichols had just allowed himself to be handcuffed. The five officers, the city of Memphis and the police chief are being sued by Nichols’ family for $550 million.
