One of many 5 Memphis officers charged with the homicide of Tyre Nichols was the president of the Mississippi department of a scandal-ridden fraternity.
Tadarrius Bean, 24, who was fired over his function in Nichols’ brutal beating, served as the pinnacle of the Omega Psi Phi’s Eta Zeta chapter on the College of Mississippi, in response to his LinkedIn.
Though the fraternity boasts its greater than 100 yr historical past as a haven for black school college students, it has been on the middle of a number of hazing incidents lately.
One chapter in Virginia was suspended after members have been discovered crushed and compelled to pour scorching sauce on their genitals, whereas two different members in a New York chapter have been arrested for paddling a person’s testicles as much as 200 instances.
Bean and the 4 different officers concerned in Nichols’ loss of life proceed to be scrutinized after a sequence of movies revealed the extent of their actions when arresting the 29-year-old and ignoring his twitching physique as lay dying.
Tadarrius Bean, one of many Memphis officers charged with the homicide of Tyre Nichols, served as the pinnacle of the Omega Psi Phi’s Eta Zeta chapter on the College of Mississippi
Though the frat champions itself as a beacon for black school college students, it has been embroiled in controversies over brutal hazing rituals
Nichols died within the hospital after he was tased, kicked and punched within the head, struck 3 times with a metallic baton, and twice hit with pepper spray within the face by 5 officers
Based in 1911 at Howard College, a traditionally black school, Omega Psi Phi champions itself as a fraternity ‘on the entrance line, leveraging its energy, affect and greater than 100 years of dedication to the uplift of our folks and our communities.’
However like many frats, Omega Psi Phi has been plagued with a number of scandals concerning abuse and hazing in direction of new members.
In 2019, a Virginia chapter at Outdated Dominion College was suspended for 5 years following an investigation into disturbing hazing incidents.
Members of the Tau Lambda chapter have been discovered to have crushed potential members, compelled them to drink scorching sauce and pour it on their genitals to simulate having Sexually Transmitted Illness, The Virginian Pilot reported.
The investigation stated that members have been compelled to participate in a ‘crucifixion’ the place they grasp pledges on a board whereas they’re slapped within the face, again, chest and ribs.
Faculty directors famous that no less than one pledge wanted to be taken to the hospital to deal with his accidents over the beatings.
A yr previous to the Virginia investigation, two Omega Psi Phi members at its Brooklyn chapter were arrested for the brutal hazing of a 45-year-old pledge.
Steve Liverpool was arrested after he and one other Brooklyn Omega Psi Phi member struck a 45-year-old pledge on his physique, chest, again, buttocks and testicles between 150-200 instances. Pictured: Liverpool attending a fraternity occasion
The sufferer of the fraternity, which Liverpool (above) and Keston Frank led, was later identified with rhabdomyolysis, a situation the place muscle breaks down and releases a protein into the blood that may injury the kidneys
Kindergarten trainer Steve Liverpool, and metropolis worker Keston Frank, who head the Alpha Upsilon chapter, have been charged with assault and hazing of Tory Gates.
Gates was struck on his physique, chest, again, buttocks and testicles between 150-200 instances, by hand and with a fraternity paddle, leaving him hospitalized, authorities charged within the 2018 grievance.
The sufferer was later identified with rhabdomyolysis, a situation the place muscle breaks down and releases a protein into the blood that may injury the kidneys, as nicely an incapacity to urinate following the assault.
Liverpool, who taught kindergarten within the Bronx, was reassigned to a place the place he doesn’t oversee youngsters, metropolis Division of Training officers stated.
Again in 2001, the fraternity’s department at Tennessee State College was additionally suspended for 5 years after a pledge died throughout a hazing ritual.
Joseph T. Inexperienced, 25, collapsed on the garden of the White Greek Excessive Faculty when he was pushed to finish numerous bodily actions for the Omega Psi Phi chapter, CBS reported.
The health worker’s workplace stated Inexperienced had a temperature of 103.7 when he handed out, noting that he additionally suffered an acute bronchial asthma assault.
No legal fees have been ever filed in opposition to the frat.
Whereas the Omega Psi Phi has confronted scrutiny prior to now, Bean has by no means been charged in connection to any type of hazing.
After graduating school, he labored within the fast-food trade after which for AT&T in Memphis earlier than becoming a member of the drive.
Charged with second diploma homicide are (high, left to proper) Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and (backside, left to proper) Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith
The 5 cops who have been fired and charged over Nichols’ loss of life are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr, and Justin Smith.
They’re charged with second-degree homicide, assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Harrowing video of Nichols arrest confirmed how the officers tased him, kicked and punched him within the head, struck him 3 times with a metallic baton, and twice sprayed him with mace within the face.
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis has stated different officers are beneath investigation for his or her half within the arrest.
Davis described the 5 officers’ actions as ‘heinous, reckless and inhumane.’
Tyre Nichols’ stepfather Rodney Wells (above) has referred to as for legal fees in opposition to the paramedics who appeared to fail to render support after he was savagely crushed by police
Because the investigation continues over Nichols loss of life, his stepfather Rodney Wells and his lawyer, famed civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, stated the video demonstrates that different first responders must be reprimanded.
‘Everybody – the fireplace division, paramedics that got here out that stood round and didn’t do something – they’re simply as responsible,’ Wells instructed ABC News following the discharge of the video.
‘Everybody that was energetic in the entire scene, the entire video, must be charged,’ he added.
The movies of Nichols’ arrest has sparked outrage nationwide, with many protests persevering with into the weekend in Memphis, Atlanta and Boston demanding justice for the 29-year-old.
Video of Nichols’ arrest spawned a wave of protests on Friday carrying into the weekend
Protesters referred to as for justice as they slammed the American legal justice system
Pictured: Mourners inserting objects at a memorial web site the place Nichols was arrested and crushed
