A police training expert testifying Saturday as a defense witness in the trial of three former Memphis officers charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols acknowledged that kicks and punches to Nichols' head were unnecessary and excessive.

Day six of the Tyre Nichols trial saw the defense continue its efforts to justify the force used on Nichols by former Memphis police officers.

Former Memphis police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith are pleading not guilty to their seven-count indictment from the state, which includes second-degree murder.