One of the five Memphis officers charged in Tyr Nichols’ murder is the president of the scandal-plagued fraternity’s Mississippi chapter.
Tadarrius Bean, 24, who was fired for his role in the brutal beating of Nichols, served as head of the Eta Zeta chapter of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Mississippi, according to his LinkedIn.
Although the fraternity boasts more than 100 years of history as a haven for black college students, it has been at the center of several hazing incidents in recent years.
A chapter in Virginia was suspended after members were beaten and forced to pour hot sauce on their genitals, while two other members of the New York chapter were arrested for paddling a man’s testicles 200 times.
The investigation into Bean and four other officers involved in the death of Nichols continues after a series of videos revealed the extent of their actions while arresting the 29-year-old and leaving his shaking body for dead.
Tadarrius Bean, one of the Memphis officers charged in the killing of Tyree Nichols, served as president of the Eta Zeta chapter of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Mississippi.
While the frat itself has been championed as a beacon for black college students, it has been mired in controversy over brutal hazing practices.
Nichols died at the hospital after he was hit in the head, kicked and punched in the head, hit three times with a metal baton and hit twice in the face with pepper spray by five officers.
Founded in 1911 at Howard University, a historically black college, Omega Psi Phi champions itself as a fraternity ‘on the front lines, with more than 100 years of commitment to its power, influence and the betterment of our people and our communities.’
But like many frats, Omega Psi Phi has been plagued by several scandals involving abuse and hazing of new members.
In 2019, a Virginia chapter of Old Dominion University was suspended for five years following an investigation into disturbing hazing incidents.
Members of the Tau Lambda chapter beat potential members, forced them to drink hot sauce and poured their genitals to simulate sexually transmitted diseases, the Virginia Pilot reported.
The investigation said members were forced to take part in a ‘crucifixion’ where they hung the pledge on a board while they were slapped on the face, back, chest and ribs.
School administrators noted that at least one Pledge should be taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries from the beating.
A year before the Virginia investigation, two Omega Sci Phi members of its Brooklyn chapter were arrested for brutally hazing a 45-year-old pledge.
Steve Liverpool was arrested after he and another Brooklyn Omega Psi Phi member hit the 45-year-old pledge 150-200 times on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles. Pictured: Liverpool attending a fraternity event
A fraternity victim led by Liverpool (above) and Keston Frank, the latter was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscles break down and release proteins into the blood that can damage the kidneys.
Kindergarten teacher Steve Liverpool, and city employee Keston Frank, who was head of the Alpha Upsilon chapter, were charged with assaulting and hazing Torey Gates.
Gates was hit 150-200 times on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles, with a hand and a fraternity paddle, hospitalizing him, authorities allege in a 2018 indictment.
The victim was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscles break down and release proteins into the blood that can damage the kidneys, as well as the inability to urinate after the attack.
Liverpool, who taught kindergarten in the Bronx, was reassigned to a position where she does not supervise children, city Department of Education officials said.
In 2001, the fraternity at Tennessee State University was also suspended for five years after a pledge died during a ritual.
Joseph T. Green, 25, collapsed on the lawn of White Greek High School after being pressured to complete various physical activities for the Omega Psi Phi chapter, CBS reported.
The medical examiner’s office said Green’s temperature was 103.7 when he passed out, noting that he was suffering from an acute asthma attack.
No criminal charges were ever filed against the brothers.
While Omega Psi Phi has faced scrutiny in the past, Bean has never been accused of hazing.
After graduating from college, he worked in the fast-food industry and then for AT&T in Memphis before joining the Army.
Charged with second degree murder are (top, left to right) Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and (bottom, left to right) Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
The five police officers who were fired and charged in Nichols’ death were Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
They are charged with second-degree murder, assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and government oppression.
The harrowing video of Nichols’ arrest shows officers tasing him, kicking and punching him in the head, hitting him three times with a metal baton and spraying him twice in the face with mace.
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis said the other officers are under investigation for their part in the arrests.
Davies described the actions of the five officers as ‘heinous, reckless and inhumane’.
Tyree Nicholls’ stepfather Rodney Wells (above) has called for criminal charges against paramedics who appeared to have failed to render aid after he was brutally beaten by police.
As the investigation into Nichols’ death continues, her stepfather Rodney Wells and her lawyer, noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said the video shows that other first responders should be reprimanded.
After the video was released, Wells told ABC News, ‘Everybody – the fire department, the paramedics who stood by and did nothing – are just as guilty’.
He added, ‘Everyone who was active in the whole scene, the whole video should be charged.
Videos of Nichols’ arrest sparked nationwide outrage, with protests continuing over the weekend in Memphis, Atlanta and Boston demanding justice for the 29-year-old.
The video of Nichols’ arrest Friday sparked a wave of protests over the weekend
Protesters denounce America’s criminal justice system and call for justice
Pictured: Mourners place items at a memorial site where Nicholls was arrested and beaten
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