Former Inkster police officer found guilty in beating case

Prosecutor Robert Donaldson told jurors there’s a key question for their deliberations: Was it reasonable for William Melendez to punch Floyd Dent in the head 16 times in Inkster?

Melendez didn’t testify at the Wayne County court trial. His sentencing is set for December 3.

“It is time for Mr. Melendez to accept responsibility”, she said.

Now it’s up to the jury, made up of eight women and four men, including seven jurors who are black, to decide.

The video wasn’t seen publicly until WDIV-TV aired the footage in March.

Dent, who was shown on video as Melendez punched him in the head 16 times during the traffic stop, is expected to appear at a news conference Friday, The Detroit News said. Dent was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read, reportedly because he was afraid.

A prosecutor urged jurors Wednesday to convict Melendez in the “senseless” bloody beating of an unarmed driver who was pulled over after rolling through a stop sign.

Dent earlier this year reached a $1.4 million settlement in a civil lawsuit against Inkster, which has a majority black population but a majority white police force.

After a 12-day trial, the jury came back with a verdict of guilty on “misconduct in office” (which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison), and guilty of “assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder” (which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison).

James Thomas, Melendez’s attorney, said Dent continually struggled during his arrest, and that Melendez had the right to use force.

After Dent’s arrest, he was charged with resisting and obstructing and possession of cocaine, but those charges were later dismissed.