The beating of motorist Floyd Dent by Inkster cop William Melendez has been part of the national discussion regarding police brutality involving white cops and black victims. The video of the traffic stop in January went viral and was seen around the country.
On Thursday, Dent took the stand in the trial in Wayne County Circuit Court in which Melendez, 47, is criminally charged in the beating.
"He had jumped on me and grabbed me by the throat," Dent testified in court, describing the traffic stop in January of this year. "He started choking me, then beating me in the head." He said he was trying to protect himself from Melendez who repeatedly landed punches to Dent's head.
The prosecution said in opening statements that Melendez, who has since been fired, abused his authority.
James Thomas, the attorney Melendez, told jurors that Melendez was working in a dangerous city and confronted a dangerous man. He said Dent failed to stop immediately during the traffic stop and resisted arrest.
The prosecution pointed out that Dent has no criminal record and has worked for Ford for about three decades.
Jurors have now seen the video of Melendez beating on Dent during the traffic stop.
