William Melendez anxiously awaited the verdict on Thursday
Former Inkster cop William Melendez was convicted Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court in the Jan. 28 beating of motorist Floyd Dent.
The jury found him guilty on two of three counts. The jury acquitted on a count of assault with strangulation. He was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and misconduct in office.
Afterwards, Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans ordered that Melendez be remanded to the Wayne County Jail pending a Dec. 17 sentencing.
Prosecutors had contended that Melendez abused his power and used excessive force during a traffic stop that was recorded on video. The defense claimed Dent struggled with police and Melendez used reasonable force during the arrest.
It didn't help Melendez that the former Inkster Police Chief Vicki Yost testified in trial that it appeared that unnecessary force was used. Plus, the video was pretty damning. It showed Melendez pounding away on Dent's head, delivering 16 blows. The video showed no real evidence of Dent resisting arrest.
Before the verdict was announced, Judge Vonda Evans said there are no winners in this case.
William Melendez escorted from court after the verdict.(Photo from WXYZ live feed)
"If Mr. Dent was a deranged crackhead, he still wouldn't have deserved what happened to him," Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Robert Donaldson said Wednesday during closing arguments.
When the verdict was announced, Melendez's wife stormed out, which angered the judge, who ordered her back in the court.
After she returned, Judge Evans reprimanded her for storming out like a child and then told her to sit in the gallery.
