TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on May 11, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved to intervene in the federal civil lawsuit filed by RowVaughn Wells, the mother of Tyre Nichols, after the court ordered Wells’ attorneys to disclose communications with the DOJ related to the lawsuit and the department’s pattern-and-practice investigation into the Memphis Police Department. According to the Commercial Appeal, the DOJ’s motion proposes submitting the communications in question to a judge for private review to determine whether they fall within the scope of the court’s order before releasing to the City of Memphis. Attorneys for the city opposed the motion, arguing the communications are subject to discovery obligations. Meanwhile, Wells’ attorneys have requested a status conference to discuss reopening discovery, a new scheduling order, the stay involving the former Memphis police officers charged in the case and multiple sealed filings.