Prosecutor Worthy unloads murder, misconduct charges on police officers

DETROIT (WJBK) - Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced charges against several police officers Wednesday that were involved in beating or death-related cases this year. 

Worthy announced charges in four cases, and said charges weren't being sought in a fifth case. The cases she addressed were the ATV death of Damon Grimes; the beating of Deonta Steward; the assault of D'Marco Craft and Michaele Jackson; the Meijer assault of David Bivens; and the shooting death of Raynard Burton. You can read a description of each case and the charges announced below. 

ATV DEATH OF DAMON GRIMES

Prosecutors are seeking charges against Michigan State Police Trooper Mark Bessner after a teen was Tased and killed in an ATV crash this summer in Detroit. 

Worthy says Bessner used his Taser on 15-year-old Damon Grimes after troopers tried to pull him over on an ATV. Grimes, 15, lost control and crashed into a pick-up truck and died. 

Worthy says Bessner deployed his Taser from his moving vehicle, and that the ATV was traveling between 35-40 mph when it struck the parked car. 

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Bessner has been charged with Second-Degree Murder, and two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter. 

BEATING OF DEONTA STEWARD 

Prosecutors are seeking charges against former Detroit Police Officer Edward Hicks after a man was beaten while walking through the Martin Luther King Homes in Detroit. 

Prosecutor Worthy says Deonta Steward was walking through the housing on August 30, 2017 when Hicks yelled for him to stop. Steward took off running and Hicks followed after. 

Worthy says Hicks caught up to Steward and began to beat him, resulting in bleeding and serious injury. 

Moreso, Worthy says Steward was not immediately taken for treatment for what turned out to be very serious injuries to his eye and face. Hicks also allegedly tried to get Steward to lie about how he got the injuries. 

Hicks has been charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm; Aggravated Assault; Obstruction of Justice; and Misconduct in Office. 

ASSAULT OF D'MARCO CRAFT AND MICHAELE JACKSON 

Prosecutors are seeking charges against Detroit Police Officer Richard Billingslea, 25, after two men were beaten in a Detroit gas station. 

Worthy says D'Marco Craft and Michaele Jackson pulled up to a gas station on May 31, 2017. Craft went inside and immediately recognized Billingslea, as he says he's had confrontations with him multiple times before. 

Worthy says Craft swore at the officer and left. Then Jackson, who was intoxicated at the time, came inside the gas station and Worthy says Billingslea began to assault him. 

Worthy says Billingslea pepper sprayed Jackson, who was never a threat, Worthy says, because he was intoxicated. Craft was recording the incident on his cell phone. 

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Worthy says Billingslea tried to throw away Craft's phone, but it was retrieved by another officer in a trash cam. Worthy says Billingslea also turned off his body camera during the encounter. 

Billingslea has been charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm; Aggravated Assault; Obstruction of Justice; and Assault and Battery. 

MEIJER ASSAULT OF DAVID BIVINS

Prosecutors are seeking charges against Detroit Police Officer Lonnie Wade after a man was beaten inside a Meijer on 8 Mile in Detroit. 

The 65-year-old officer accused David Bivins of shoplifting and a verbal exchange ensued. Surveillance video and cell phone video show Wade beating Bivins with a baton in the altercation. 

Bivins, who suffered a cut lip and broken teeth as a result of the beating, was arrested for disorderly conduct, but Worthy rejected resisting and obstruction charges. Detroit Police Chief James Craig said there was no evidence of retail fraud.

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Wade has been charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm, Felonious Assault; Misconduct in Office for an invalid arrest; and a second charge of Misconduct in Office for improper deployment of his baton. 

SHOOTING DEATH OF RAYNARD BURTON

Prosecutor Worthy says evidence is insufficient in this case to charge Detroit Police Officer Jerold Blanding. 

Worthy says Blanding and Officer Michael Davis were on patrol in a marked patrol car and in uniform when they saw a speeding green Pontiac Bonneville and attempted to pull the driver over. 

The driver sped off and eventually stopped the car, and got out and ran. Officers ran after him. 

Davis lost sight, but Blanding eventually caught up with Burton and Worthy says a struggle ensued. Burton was shot with a single gunshot wound in the midsection area and later died. 

Worthy says witnesses, radio calls for help and the Medical Examiner's report corroborate Blanding's story that Burton tried to grab for his gun. The warrant request has been denied. 

Worthy also said the Bonneville was later found out to have been carjacked two days prior, and says the victim identified Blanding as the carjacking suspect. 

FOX 2's Amy Lange will have more on these charges tonight on FOX 2 News beginning at 5 p.m.