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INKSTER, Michigan — A former Inkster police officer shown on dashcam video pummeling an unarmed motorist during a traffic stop will face trial on assault and misconduct charges, a judge ruled Thursday. Meanwhile, the motorist has settled his lawsuit against the city for nearly $1.4 million, his lawyer said.
Ex-Inkster Officer William Melendez, 46, who was fired after pulling over auto worker Floyd Dent on Jan. 28, was held for trial on felony charges of misconduct in office and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. District Judge Sabrina Johnson also approved the prosecution’s request to add assault by strangulation to the charges.
“I went to the ground, [and Melendez] started choking me,” testified Dent, 57, the only witness at Thursday’s preliminary hearing. “He choked me so hard that I couldn’t breathe. … Then he started, he started beating me in the right side of my head.” Dent, who was hesitant and soft-spoken on the witness stand, was hospitalized for three days after the beating.
Dent’s attorney, Greg Rohl, confirmed outside the courtroom that the city of Inkster had agreed to settle Dent’s lawsuit. The deal hasn’t yet been approved by a judge.
Police dashcam video made public in March (watch below) shows Dent, whose license had been suspended, pulling over after a police car behind him activated its emergency lights. Dent opens his car door. Melendez draws his gun and a second officer pulls Dent from his car.
