Memphis, Tenn. — A federal judge has refused to remove Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis from a civil

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]Memphis, Tennessee. A federal judge has refused to remove Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis from a civil lawsuit over Tyre Nichols' death.

[00:00:09]In a ruling issued April 24th, Judge Sheryl Lipman partially denied a motion by RowVaughn Wells, Nichols' mother, seeking severance and dismissal with prejudice of claims against Davis.

[00:00:20]Wells had argued keeping Davis in the suit would preserve trial schedule.

[00:00:25]The motion also sought the removal of five former Memphis police officers accused of beating Nichols, which Lipman had granted on April 17th.

[00:00:34]Davis contended the motion would extinguish her appeal of the denial of qualified immunity via unilateral dismissal.

[00:00:41]She had earlier sought removal from the case in September 2025. A federal judge denied that request, and Davis appealed.

[00:00:50]Lipman noted Wells' scheduling concerns were tempered by the April 17th ex-officer removal.

[00:00:56]Consequently, Davis remains a defendant, and her appeal of the immunity ruling proceeds.