Case Of Ex-Inkster Cop Accused Of Assaulting Motorist Goes To Jury

DETROIT (WWJ) - The case of a former Inkster Police officer accused of severely beating a motorist in the middle of the road earlier this year is now in the hands of a jury.

Jurors have heard closing arguments in the case of a bloody beating of an unarmed driver captured on dashcam video reports WWJ's Stephanie Davis.

Prosecutor Robert Donaldson says there's nothing reasonable about 16 punches to the head of Floyd Dent, who was stopped in Inkster last January. William Melendez is charged with assault and misconduct in office.

The jury made only one request, and that was for a computer to watch videotape evidence in the case. Video evidence is key because it was a dashcam video which went viral that resulted in the charges against then Inkster police officer William Melendez.

On camera, Melendez is seen grabbing motorist Floyd Dent and hitting him in the head 16 times while on the ground.

The defense is arguing that jurors need to see the whole videotape rather than the shorter video that went viral, but the prosecution says Melendez used excessive force.

Dent testified during the trail -- Melendez, now fired from the force, is charged with assault and misconduct in office, did not testify.

In May, a deal between Floyd Dent and the city of Inkster for $1.37 million was finalized — the same day a Melendez was charged in the bloody beating.

The jury will resume deliberations Thursday.