Detroit Officers Fired in Fatal Beating Case

The four officers charged in the fatal beating of a motorist were fired Wednesday.

Detroit police Chief Stanley Knox fired Officers Walter Budzyn, Larry Nevers and Robert Lessnau and Sgt. Freddie Douglas after an administrative hearing Wednesday afternoon, said Bob Berg, a spokesman for Mayor Coleman A. Young.

A preliminary hearing continued on whether the officers will stand trial in the slaying. More testimony was scheduled for today.

Partners Budzyn and Nevers are charged with second-degree murder in the Nov. 5 beating death of Malice Green outside a suspected crack house. Douglas is charged with involuntary manslaughter and willful neglect of duty. Lessnau is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

All the officers have pleaded not guilty.

Efforts by the Associated Press to reach their attorneys Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.

But David Griem, representing Douglas, told WDIV the firing was a travesty of justice.

“Now, one week before Christmas, he finds himself without a job without ever having his day in court,” Griem said.

A spokesman for Knox had no comment.

Three other officers alleged to have been at the scene during part of the confrontation were not charged with crimes but remain suspended from the force. Their status with the department will be determined during an upcoming hearing, Berg said.

In the preliminary court hearing, all the witnesses so far have said they only saw Nevers and Budzyn take part in the beating.

If they go to trial and are convicted, Budzyn and Nevers face a maximum punishment of life in prison; Douglas faces 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to a year on the willful neglect of duty charge, and Lessnau faces 10 years.