The police beating that killed Tyre Nichols showed the importance of the public release of police video, particularly where the footage contradicted descriptions from police reports. But the sheer volume of video footage and documents in the case created the need for a unique visual storytelling approach.
With the officers’ federal trial approaching, AP set out to combine key moments on the video with annotated case documents in a format accessible to readers.
The disparity between the officers’ written reports and the actions caught on camera was what sparked the idea, which AP staff in Tennessee took to a team led by Darrell Allen and including Panagiotis Mouzakis.
Memphis reporter Adrian Sainz, Nashville reporter Jonathan Mattise and Mid-South chief videojournalist Kristin M. Hall poured over hours of video and hundreds of documents obtained from records requests to isolate key moments. They met regularly with Allen’s team to talk about how to translate notes, images and documents into a coherent presentation for readers.
The visual analysis showed how officers downplayed their use of force, omitted punches and kicks as Nichols was held by other officers and turned the blame on Nichols, claiming that he was resisting. The immersive also showed officers bragging and laughing just steps away from where Nichols lay on the ground, struggling with his fatal injuries.
The interactive created by Allen and Mouzakis allowed readers to compare the differences side by side and gave a deeper understanding of how the night unfolded across multiple video angles.
Visit AP.org to request a trial subscription to AP’s video, photo and text services.
For breaking news, visit apnews.com.
Submission Links
https://bit.ly/4eagTBQRelated articles
