A White Ex-Michigan police officer is sentenced with 13 months to 10 years in prison at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Tuesday, after beating a black motorist. The beating incident occurred during a traffic stop which was filmed on a video, leaving the motorist to a bloody pulp.
According to Detroit Free Press, 47 years old William Melendez made an apology to the victim, Floy Dent, as well as to his family and the community minutes before he sentenced. Melendez will spend 13 months to 10 years in jail. "To Mr. Dent and his family, I am truly sorry that this has caused undue hardships in your personal life. And if you have any animosity towards law enforcement, that was not my intention," Melendez said.
A Dashcam video caught the beating incident on January 2015, showing the former Michigan police officer, punching the victim 16 times during a traffic stop. The footage was played for the jury. Melendez was also convicted of two felonies on November for misconduct in office.
Dent suffered memory loss and other beating injuries. He testified against Melendez at the court trial, Reuters reported. Dent said, he begged Melendez for his life and to stop the beating. During the 12-day hearing, prosecutors debated regarding the former police officer's action. Prosecutors argued that Melendez abused his authority, but the defense maintained the use of force was reasonable. Last April, the former police officer was terminated from his job at the Detroit suburb's police department.
The 58 year old victim said he felt the punishment was right, however, he also felt sad as he would be away from his family, Detroit News reported. "I have no hatred against him whatsoever. I wish him all the luck," Dent said. Gregory Rohl, Dent's defense lawyer also said, he hopes Melendez's punishment will send a lesson to other police officers.
Melendez also read a poem, "The Final Inspection," sometimes read at police funerals, which contains the line, "Those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint."
