Some charges against Jones dropped

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni will not pursue two criminal charges filed against Melvin Jones III the night he was allegedly beaten by Springfield Police Officer Jeffrey Asher.

In a statement released to 22News, Mastroianni said that he decided not to prosecute Jones for resisting arrest and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, as a subsequent offender.

Both charges were filed on November 27, 2009. In an incident captured on videotape that night, Asher allegedly beat Jones with a flashlight. Asher has been removed from the police force and criminal charges have been filed against him.

“It is my opinion the available evidence does not allow for consistent and credible prosecutions of both defendants related to this incident,” Mastroianni said.

Jones has filed a lawsuit against the City of Springfield, the Springfield Police Department, and Police Commissioner William Fitchet.

Mastroianni’s decision does not affect the prosecution of Jones in other cases. Over the weekend, Jones was arrested following an incident where he allegedly took a woman’s car without her permission following a domestic dispute. In January, Jones was arrested after he allegedly stole more than $700 worth of clothing from the JC Penney Outlet Store at the Eastfield Mall.