A former Memphis police officer standing trial in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols is a kind-hearted, humble person who did his job “by the book,” a friend from the police academy testified Friday.

Desmond Mills Jr., who testified against his former colleagues, broke down in court, saying, “I made his child fatherless.”

The trial for the officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death has officially started. Here is what to know about the Memphis police beating case from traffic stop to the court house.

As the civil rights trial of three of their former team members continues, Desmond Mills and his former colleague, Emmit Martin, have both now admitted on the stand to using excessive force as officers violently took Nichols’ into custody after a traffic stop in January of last year.

Prosecutors called nearly 20 witnesses to make their case against three former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the fatal beating of Mr. Nichols.

The prosecution rested its case on Thursday afternoon, after testimony from 19 witnesses over the last three weeks. The defense will now have the opportunity to present its own witnesses. Before the defense could begin,

The attorney for Justin Smith, one of five officers accused in the death of Tyre Nichols, filed a motion for judgment of acquittal.