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Prosecutor To Decide If Charges Coming In Case Of Motorist Beaten By Inkster Police

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy will announce Monday whether charges will be filed in the case of a motorist beaten by Inkster police during a traffic stop.

A videotape shows Officer William Melendez apparently punching and kicking Floyd Dent, who was tased after he was pulled over for rolling through a stop sign.

Melendez has been fired.

Inkster Police Fire Officer Caught On Video Beating Man During Traffic Stop

Police claim they found drugs in Dent's car.

Dent, 57, claims Inkster police planted cocaine in his car.

Dent said he was innocent and trying to protect himself during the January traffic stop, while police counter he'd refused to pull over, resisted arrest and threatened them.

A District Court judge earlier dismissed charges of fleeing police and resisting arrest after viewing police dash-cam video – which went viral online.

George Williams, a lifelong resident of Inkster, spoke with WWJ's City Beat reporter Vickie Thomas before Worthy's announcement.

"I think it starts from the leaders down," said Willams. "We are going to have to really review because it doesn't make sense from a minority community like Inkster that we are sitting here with a bunch of hatred in our community - coming from our police department? It's unnecessary.

"They just now removed one police officer, but what about the rest of them? It's shocking that they are still working and nothing being said -- and then the city manager and chief of police (say) 'no comment.' And no comment they are investigating -- you owe the people some kind of explanation."

Worthy will also announce whether charges will be filed in the police beating in Detroit of accused carjacker Andrew Jackson.

Police claim he was resisting arrest.

 

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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