Charges dismissed against former Detroit Police Officer in connection to fatal assault
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Charges were dismissed against a former Detroit Police Officer in connection to the fatal assault of Daryl Vance, 71, of Detroit, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday.
In September 2023, while on duty, Juwan Marquise-Alexander Brown, 29, had a verbal altercation with Vance, leading Brown to allegedly punch Vance in the face, officials said.
Vance then fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. He was taken to the hospital where he died on Sept. 21.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner determined Vance's death was caused by blunt force trauma to his head from the punch.
Brown was arraigned in December with manslaughter and received a $100,000 bond, prosecutors said.
The Detroit Police Department released a statement Thursday on the firing of Brown on Dec. 26.
"The decision to terminate former officer Brown was based on a variety of factors and is not contingent with the status of criminal charges. Each disciplinary case is evaluated on whether the rules and regulations of the Department are met, and is separate and independent of the judicial system," the Detroit Police Department said in a statement Thursday.
Arraigned: Detroit police officer arraigned in fatal assault of 71-year-old man
36th District Court Judge Kenneth King dismissed the case Thursday at the preliminary examination, citing insufficient evidence to bind over the case to the trial court.
"The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office respectfully disagrees with the court's decision and will be appealing the dismissal of the charges," Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said.
