Suspended Grand Rapids cop pleads no contest to Beating Young Black Man

A suspended Grand Rapids police officer -- turned in by his fellow officers for roughing up a man who ran from him -- pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault in Grand Rapids District Court Thursday. As part of his plea agreement, Officer Matthew Lockhart agreed to stop fighting the police department's attempt to fire him, thus clearing the way for his termination. The nine-year veteran currently is suspended without pay, and his union had filed a grievance, contesting the firing. Lockhart had been charged with aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor, and jury selection in his trial was to begin Thursday, said his attorney, Peter Walsh. But instead, Lockhart pleaded no contest to simple assault, a 93-day misdemeanor. He is to be sentenced in March. The charge stems from a June 13 traffic stop. Darrius Joseph, 19, was a passenger in a car stopped for a minor traffic violation when he jumped from the car and ran. Joseph, wanted for a probation violation and larceny warrant, ran two blocks before he gave up. Joseph has said he put his hands behind his back and waited to be arrested. That's when witnesses said Lockhart allegedly slammed his police radio into Joseph's head, requiring three stitches. Joseph also suffered a broken rib. Two officers, not among the first to catch up to Joseph, reported to Internal Affairs that Lockhart used excessive force. At the time, Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan said the officers who turned in Lockhart showed the department's integrity. [more]