Inkster reaches $1.4 million settlement in January police beating
INKSTER, Mich. (AP) — A lawyer for a man who was severely beaten by a police officer says a Detroit suburb has agreed to settle a lawsuit for nearly $1.4 million.
Details emerged Thursday, the same day that William Melendez appeared in court for a hearing to determine if he'll go to trial on an assault charge.
Video shows Melendez repeatedly punching Floyd Dent in the head during a traffic stop in Inkster in January. The 57-year-old Dent told a judge Thursday that Melendez threatened to kill him if he didn't get out of his car.
Separately, Dent's attorney, Nicholas Bennett, says Inkster agreed to quickly settle a lawsuit over the beating.
The violent arrest wasn't publicly known until WDIV-TV aired the video weeks later. Melendez was fired. He denies wrongdoing.
Dykema attorney receives public service award from Cooley Law
Dykema attorney James S. Brady has received the Marion Hilligan Public Service Award from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School to reflect a lifetime of community service. He was honored earlier this month during the annual Law Day luncheon hosted by the law school and the Grand Rapids Bar Association.
The Marion Hilligan Public Service Award is given in recognition of “contributions by a lawyer in public service to area governmental bodies or community organizations, reflecting greater individual responsibility in promoting public health and welfare through law.” The award is named after the law school’s first associate dean of its Grand Rapids campus, who made profound contributions to the school’s development.
Brady’s practice focuses on business and commercial litigation, white collar investigations, criminal law, health care fraud and environmental and energy law. He is former United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
Outside of his practice, Brady’s involvement in the community and his reputation as a mentor are well-known. He serves as chair of Emmanuel Hospice, as a board member and former chair of St. Ann’s Skilled Nursing Home, and as a board member of Catholic Charities West Michigan. He previously taught at Cooley Law School and has acted as the past chair of the Western Michigan University Foundation and past president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association.
Brady received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, a B.S. from Western Michigan University , and is a graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School.
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