DETROIT (AP) - A judge has ruled that evidence of possible drug use by a motorist the night he was beaten during a Detroit-area traffic stop will be allowed at the trial of the former officer charged in the case.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans also said last Friday during a hearing for William Melendez that mention of Floyd Dent's previous arrests will be allowed at trial.
Melendez is charged with assault. He was fired by the Inkster police department after the Jan. 28 incident in which Dent is seen on video being pulled from his car and repeatedly punched.
Melendez has denied any wrongdoing and faces an Oct. 5 trial.
Charges of cocaine possession and resisting an officer were dismissed against Dent who reached a $1.4 million civil settlement with the city.
Published: Tue, Sep 01, 2015
