On Monday, around 200 prospective jurors gathered at the Odell Horton Federal Building in Memphis, Tennessee, as the jury selection process started for the federal trial concerning the death of Tyre Nichols. Nichols died after being stopped and beaten by five former officers from the Memphis Police Department.

Although jury selection was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, proceedings did not commence until just after noon due to several last-minute motions that were filed and debated in private.

Family, friends of Nichols, and numerous activists were present during the hearings, where Judge Mark S. Norris questioned potential jurors. He asked each juror to identify what they considered to be the most important quality in a juror, as well as any personal biases they might possess.

The jurors’ responses included various biases, such as those related to race, religion, profession, and personal grudges. Judge Norris subsequently asked if anyone felt they could not set aside such biases when making a decision, and none of the jurors in the first group raised their hands.

The trial is anticipated to last three to four weeks and will involve the three remaining defendants—former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr. The jury will ultimately determine if they are guilty of violating Nichols’ civil rights during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023.

The accused officers face charges of using excessive force, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, and witness tampering. Two additional former officers have pleaded guilty to similar charges.

The other two former officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., entered guilty pleas before the trial began, admitting to using excessive force and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. Mills, who pleaded guilty in November, is expected to receive a 15-year sentence, while Martin, who entered his plea on August 23, faces a recommendation of a 40-year sentence.

The final decision on their sentences will rest with Judge Norris. If convicted, each officer could face life imprisonment, as federal convictions do not allow for parole.