A former officer who pleaded guilty to charges related to Tyre Nichols' death became visibly emotional during his testimony on Tuesday in the federal trial of three ex-Memphis police officers accused in connection with Nichols' beating death in January 2023, ABC News reported.

"I wish I would’ve stopped the punches. It hurts to watch. It hurts inside so much," Desmond Mills Jr. said, shedding tears as he spoke. According to WATN, the ABC affiliate in Memphis covering the courtroom proceedings, he added, "It felt bad every time the picture is on the screen to know I’m a part of that. I made his child fatherless. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I know 'sorry' won’t bring him back, but I pray his child has everything he needs growing up."

Mills struggled to find his voice after watching body camera footage in court depicting Nichols being struck, as reported by WATN. He admitted to hitting Nichols with his baton three times. “I was angry because I just [pepper] sprayed myself in the face,” Mills explained, according to WATN. “I didn’t give him a chance to give me his hands.”

On Sep. 12, 2023, Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley, and Tadarrius Bean were charged with violating Nichols' civil rights through excessive use of force, unlawful assault, failing to intervene in the assault, and neglecting to provide medical aid. As stated by the U.S. Department of Justice, these charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The officers have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Mills and Emmitt Martin III, the other officers in this case, have pleaded guilty to certain federal charges. Mills pleaded guilty to two of the four counts in the indictment—excessive force and failing to intervene, along with conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force, according to the DOJ. The government intends to recommend a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison under the terms of Mills' plea agreement. Martin has pleaded guilty to excessive force, failure to intervene, and conspiracy to witness tamper, with the remaining two charges set to be dropped at sentencing on Dec. 5, according to court records.

When asked by the prosecution what threat Nichols posed during the encounter, as depicted in the body camera footage, Mills responded, "None," according to WATN. The body camera footage reveals that Nichols fled after police pulled him over on Jan. 7, 2023, for allegedly driving recklessly. Officers subsequently shocked him with a taser and pepper-sprayed him. Minutes later, they allegedly beat Nichols after catching up with him. Following the encounter, Nichols was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died on Jan. 10, 2023. The official autopsy report indicated that Nichols "died of brain injuries from blunt force trauma," as confirmed by the district attorney's office to Nichols' family in May 2023.