Jury Acquits Michigan Trooper of Assault Charges
A jury found Trooper Paul E. Arrowood not guilty of misconduct and assault regarding a 2022 incident in Saginaw.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Do you trust that police actions during minor pedestrian stops are held to fair legal standards?
A jury returned a not guilty verdict on October 26, 2026, for Michigan State Police Trooper Paul E. Arrowood. He faced charges of misconduct in office and assault and battery stemming from a 2022 interaction with Michael D. Wilson on Webber Street.
Why it matters
The acquittal concludes a high-profile criminal case involving allegations of excessive force by a law enforcement officer against a resident. The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding policing tactics and accountability within the city.
Arrowood faced a potential five-year felony sentence for misconduct and a 93-day sentence for misdemeanor battery. The jury reached the not guilty verdict after the trooper rejected a plea deal that offered reduced charges.
The players
Paul E. Arrowood
He is a 47-year-old Michigan State Police trooper who has been on unpaid suspension since September 2022 and faced criminal charges for his actions.
Michael D. Wilson
He is the man involved in a 2022 jaywalking stop who was not charged with a crime but later filed a federal lawsuit against two troopers.
Michigan State Police
This is the state law enforcement agency that employs Trooper Paul E. Arrowood and has held him on unpaid suspension since 2022.
Logan Barber
He is a trooper named as a defendant alongside Paul E. Arrowood in a federal lawsuit filed by Michael D. Wilson in April 2024.
The details
The charges followed an incident on Webber Street where Arrowood attempted to stop Michael D. Wilson for jaywalking. Prosecutors alleged the trooper wrapped his arms around Wilson to take him to the ground before straddling him and striking him nearly 20 times.
Timeline
May 2013: Arrowood killed a man in the line of duty in Mount Morris.
September 4, 2022: The interaction between Arrowood and Wilson occurred on Webber Street.
September 30, 2022: Arrowood began an unpaid suspension from the Michigan State Police.
March 2023: Arrowood began facing criminal charges.
October 26, 2026: The jury returned the not guilty verdict.
Legal Context
The acquittal follows a pattern established by the 2013 fatal shooting by Paul E. Arrowood in Mount Morris, where he also avoided criminal charges after a lethal encounter. The case reflects broader local concerns about Trooper Arrowood, who was the subject of seven citizen complaints between 2013 and 2022.
The verdict brings closure to the criminal proceedings, though residents remain impacted by the ongoing federal civil litigation involving the officers. There are no new safety advisories or road closures issued as a result of the trial conclusion.
The takeaway
The jury decision serves as the final criminal resolution for the 2022 incident on Webber Street. Residents should note that civil actions against law enforcement entities remain an entirely separate legal process from criminal trials.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in local policing, visit Law Enforcement.
Live Poll
Do you trust that police actions during minor pedestrian stops are held to fair legal standards?
