INKSTER, Mich. (AP) — A police officer charged in the bloody beating of a Detroitarea motorist faces a key hearing that will determine whether he’ll go to trial.
William Melendez is charged with assault. He’s scheduled to appear in Inkster District Court today.
Video shows Melendez repeatedly punching Floyd Dent during a traffic stop in Inkster in January. The beating wasn’t publicly known until WDIV-TV aired the video weeks later. Melendez was fired.
Judge Sabrina Johnson must decide whether there’s enough evidence to send the case to trial in Wayne County court. Melendez denies wrongdoing.
Also today, a settlement between Dent and Inkster is expected to be finalized. Those involved say it could be for about $1.4 million. Dent tells WDIV “Inkster needs to move on” and a settlement may help that happen.
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