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Former Melvindale Police Lt. Matthew Furman
Former Melvindale Police Lt. Matthew Furman, 40, who was accused of excessive force, was found guilty Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court of assault and misconduct in office involving a 2024 traffic stop. He was found not guilty of felonious assault.
In July 2024, shortly before noon, the Downriver officer conducted a traffic stop of Drakkar Williams, 36, of Melvindale, who had driven around a traffic barricade. Williams had a suspended license and an uninsured car and provided Furman a fake name.
Furman asked Williams to step out of the car. After placing his hands on the roof, authorities said Furman tased him in the back.
When officers who responded to the scene helped place Williams on the ground, Furman placed his foot on his rib area. While being treated by medics, a verbal altercation between Furman and Williams turned physical, and Furman grabbed his shirt and hair and shoved him against a fire truck he was sitting on, authorities said.
Furman testified during trial that he followed department policy.
“It is important to remember that the majority of our police officers are bravely placing their lives on the line every day and proudly serving with the utmost integrity," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "The alleged behavior of this officer is criminal and does a disservice to the men and women who have taken an oath to protect and serve all of our citizens."
On Thursday, Furman was acquitted by the jury in a separate tasing case from 2024.
And on the same day, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced that Furman pleaded no contest to assault and battery in a 2021 case in which a motorist fled after a traffic stop and eventually fled on foot.
Authorities alleged that Furman kicked the suspect multiple times in his leg and ankle when he was being secured in handcuffs. No contest means he did not admit guilt but accepts the conviction and sentence.
