This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7367198.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police acquitted over NY shooting | Police acquitted over NY shooting |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A judge in New York has acquitted three police officers who shot dead an unarmed man hours before his wedding. | A judge in New York has acquitted three police officers who shot dead an unarmed man hours before his wedding. |
| Sean Bell, 23, was shot as he was leaving a party at a strip club in the suburb of Queens in November 2006. | |
| Two detectives, Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora, faced charges of manslaughter. A third, Marc Cooper, had been accused of reckless endangerment. | Two detectives, Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora, faced charges of manslaughter. A third, Marc Cooper, had been accused of reckless endangerment. |
| In a packed Queens courtroom, Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman cleared the three men of all charges. | In a packed Queens courtroom, Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman cleared the three men of all charges. |
| The case had generated accusations of police racism and brutality. | The case had generated accusations of police racism and brutality. |
| Shouts of "No!" erupted in the crowd outside the courthouse as word of the verdict spread, said reports. Some people wept on each other's shoulders. | Shouts of "No!" erupted in the crowd outside the courthouse as word of the verdict spread, said reports. Some people wept on each other's shoulders. |
| Protesters were angered by revelations that the officers had fired 50 shots between them - a use of force they argued was excessive. | Protesters were angered by revelations that the officers had fired 50 shots between them - a use of force they argued was excessive. |
| But the police officers insisted they suspected one of Bell's companions was armed. | But the police officers insisted they suspected one of Bell's companions was armed. |
| Undercover | |
| Bell and two friends were apparently trying to drive away from the Kalua club when the incident occurred early on the morning of 25 November 2006. | |
| The three detectives denied the charges against them | |
| The police officers who fired were among five undercover officers who had been investigating prostitution allegations at the club. | |
| Bell was killed and his friends were seriously injured. | |
| Mr Isnora said he decided to follow the trio to their car because he believed they were going to carry out a drive-by shooting. No gun was ever found in their car. |