INKSTER (AP) — A former Inkster police officer convicted in the assault of a black man said he doesn’t know why he beat and seriously injured the motorist in January 2015.
A 13-page parole report obtained by The Detroit News through a Freedom of Information Act request offers a glimpse into William Melendez’s thoughts about his assault of Floyd Dent.
According to the report, Melendez had previously claimed he assaulted Dent because he was “trying to protect his fellow officers and in accordance with Inkster police protocol.”
He also previously alleged Dent “threatened to kill him and his partner.” Later he retracted and said he handled the situation poorly, the report states.
The report comes as Melendez serves a 13-month to 10-year sentence and awaits a final decision on if he’ll be put on parole at least three months early. Prison staff and parole board members questioned
Melendez as part of their decision-making process for his parole.
Prison authorities said Melendez has post-traumatic stress disorder caused by his time both in the military and as a police officer. Dent’s attorney, Gregory Rohl, objected to the idea of Melendez being paroled
early.
“He was given 13 months to 10 years for the brutality evidenced on the video, and he compounded his attack by planting cocaine and making fun of Floyd after the fact,” Rohl said. “It seems very preferential
and, if the roles were reversed, I’m sure Floyd would not have enjoyed such a reprieve.”
The assault was captured on the officer’s dash-cam and went viral. The video created controversy over Melendez’s actions during the police stop.
Post-traumatic can be treated through counseling or medication. The disorder is caused by a traumatic incident.
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