Expert backs officer in bloody beating of Detroit-area man

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Expert backs officer in bloody beating of Detroit-area man
Ed White, Associated Press
Updated 3:19 pm, Wednesday, November 11, 2015

DETROIT (AP) — An expert testifying Wednesday for a police officer charged with assault defended the repeated beating of a motorist in suburban Detroit, saying it was "reasonable" based on the man's resistance to arrest.

Aaron Westrick, a sheriff's deputy and criminal justice professor, looked at dashcam video, which is critical to the case, and said Floyd Dent made suspicious moves in his car as officers approached and didn't cooperate after he was pulled to the ground.

Dent, 58, was punched in the head 16 times during a bloody beating in January by Inkster Officer William Melendez, who is charged with assault and misconduct in office. Another officer used a Taser at least three times.

"It appears Mr. Dent's hands come up in a punching motion," Westrick said. "I would say he's actively resisting. ... He's actually fighting to get away from the officers."

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Expert-backs-officer-in-bloody-beating-of-6625092.php

[jtuck004]

1. There is punching. There is getting away. Done correctly, they are mutually exclusive. n/t

[juxtaposed]

2. robo cop got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.. Aaron Westrick will be found to be shill some

day

[geek tragedy]

3. professional pro-cop-thuggery testiliar. nt

[rockfordfile]

4. expert? are you kidding?

The guy is pro cop. No true independent information here.

"Floyd Dent made suspicious moves in his car" What does that have to do with the assault by the cop? I don't like the excuse for "suspicious moves in his car". That's messed up.

[passiveporcupine]

5. Some people (and many cops) just don't get it.

"Is it unusual for somebody getting strangled to reach up and get rid of what's strangling him?" Donaldson asked, referring to Dent's arm movement.

[mpcamb]

6. "An expert testifying Wednesday FOR a POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT..."

Paid mouthpiece.
First half of first sentence says all you need to know.

Hope this comes out right.