Bill to reverse Memphis’ traffic stop reform after Tyre Nichols’ death heads to Governor’s desk
The parents of Tyre Nichols claim the sponsor of the bill lied to them and said it, last week when the bill was passed, it wasn’t supposed to be brought up.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The parents of Tyre Nichols were at the Capitol ahead of the Senate floor session on Thursday to try and stop a bill. The bill would not allow cities to prevent what law enforcement does.
The City of Memphis passed an ordinance in Nichols’ name that would not allow police to make traffic stops for pretextual stops or minor offenses.
The House passed the bill last week when Nichols’ parents, RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, were not present. They claim the House sponsor of the bill, Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis), lied to them and said it wasn’t supposed to be brought up.
“Coming back to Nashville is the easy part because we want to see justice done,” said Rodney Wells on Thursday, ahead of the Senate session.
His parents drove all the way from Memphis to be inside Senate chambers on Thursday. However, before the bill was heard, they left upset and spoke with the sponsor, Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), to try and delay the bill.
“A delay would not have changed the outcome of this bill and it was just better to go ahead and have full closure of it,” said Senator Taylor.
Right now, the City of Memphis passed an ordinance where Memphis Police cannot stop someone for 5 pretextual stops: expired tags, improper permit display, unsecured license plate, broken tail or headlight, or a loose bumper.
The bill would take that authority away from city governments.
Republicans say it’s important to solve crime.
“Ted Bundy was on a murder spree all across the country murdering young women,” said Sen. Taylor. “And he was brought to justice through a routine traffic stop.”
Democrats say it takes power away from cities.
“This is extreme government overreach,” said Sen. London Lamar (D- Memphis).
“This is not an issue of whether or not we support Tyre Nichols’ family,” said Sen. Taylor. “Of course we all do.”
The bill passed with 26 aye and 6 nays. But Senator Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) said she had her hand up to debate and was skipped over by the Speaker of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), possibly on purpose.
“You don’t know the pain of burying a child,” said Senator Oliver. “We are going backwards. We’ve already don’t this before. We are going backwards we are going to have another Tyre Nichols.”
“I wish she would have been able to talk, but that happens when debate gets closed,” said Sen. Taylor after the session.
The bill now heads to Governor Bill Lee’s (R) desk.
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