Michigan Police Officer Faces Manslaughter After Fatally Punching an Old Man
Prosecutors charged a Michigan police officer with manslaughter on Tuesday, alleging his involvement in the fatal punching of a 71-year-old man during a confrontation. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

A Michigan police officer, Juwan Marquise-Alexander Brown, 29, is facing manslaughter charges in connection with an incident where he allegedly punched a 71-year-old man, Daryl Vance, according to ABC News.

The altercation, which occurred on September 1 outside a Detroit bowling alley, led to Vance falling and hitting his head.

The Michigan man succumbed to his injuries three weeks later.

During his arraignment on Wednesday, Brown pleaded not guilty, and a magistrate entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

The virtual hearing took place over Zoom. Manslaughter, if convicted, carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Alleged Altercation and Subsequent Actions

The incident unfolded when Michigan police officer Brown responded to a complaint of disorderly conduct against Daryl Vance, per The NY Times.

A verbal confrontation between the two escalated, resulting in Brown allegedly striking the Michigan man in the face.

The force of the blow caused Vance to fall, ultimately leading to blunt force trauma to the head, as determined by the Wayne County medical examiner.

Kym Worthy, the Wayne County prosecutor, emphasized that while police officers often encounter citizens who may be disorderly or verbally unpleasant, the evidence in this particular case suggests that the officer was the aggressor.

"But the evidence in this case shows that the officer allegedly was the aggressor, and his actions went criminally beyond what was necessary in this situation," Worthy stated.

Worthy underlined that such behavior from law enforcement cannot be tolerated, stating, "This behavior cannot be tolerated from our law enforcement."

Brown was suspended the day after the altercation, and the Detroit Police Department terminated him on September 1 after reviewing police camera footage.

Response from Detroit Police Chief and Legal Proceedings

Detroit Police Chief James White shared insights into the incident, stating that the officer encountered an individual in his 70s who appeared to be intoxicated.

Body-worn camera footage showed attempts by the Michigan police officer to de-escalate the situation, but an alleged strike by the Michigan man led the officer to respond with force, the Daily Mail noted.

White ordered a parallel investigation by the Homicide Task Force.

Michigan police officer Juwan Marquise-Alexander Brown is planning to appeal his termination, exercising his contractual right.

During the appeal process, he will remain off the Detroit Police Department's payroll and without law enforcement authority.

Brown's attorney, Matthew Forrest, highlighted that his client has no criminal history and has served as a Detroit police officer for approximately seven years.

Forrest argued for a personal bond, emphasizing Brown's ties to the community and his young son.

Meanwhile, James Harrington, managing partner at Fieger Law representing the Michigan man's family, announced in September that the victim would file a lawsuit.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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