The federal judge presiding over the case against five former Memphis officers convicted in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols recused himself Friday, just days before he was supposed to hand down sentences for the men.

U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris issued a one-sentence order saying he was recusing himself and “returns the matter to the Clerk for reassignment to another United States District Judge for all further proceedings.”

He offered no further explanation. Norris’ clerk did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined comment Friday.

Norris had overseen the case since federal indictments were issued in September 2023. He accepted guilty pleas from two of the officers and presided over the trial for the other three officers in October. Four of the five officers had been scheduled to be sentenced next week and the fifth on June 23.