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Police acquitted over NY shooting Police acquitted over NY shooting
(30 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. Sean Bell, 23, who was black, was shot as he left 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. The case had generated accusations of police racism and brutality, and there were angry protests outside the court.
The case had generated accusations of police racism and brutality. Shouts of "No!" erupted in the crowd 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. Some protesters marched outside the courthouse, shouting "No justice in America!"
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 between them, the officers had fired 50 shots at the car - 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 Packed court
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. Bell's fiancee, Nicole Paultre Bell, was accompanied by the veteran black civil rights campaigner Rev Al Sharpton as she arrived at the courthouse before the verdict.
The three detectives denied the charges against themThe three detectives denied the charges against them
Rev Sharpton has led many of the protests around the case, but has argued it is not about race but about police accountability.
Two of the acquitted officers were also black.
In the packed Queens courtroom, Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman cleared the three officers of all charges.
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 police officers who fired were among five undercover officers who had been investigating prostitution allegations at the club.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.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.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.
The defendants had opted to have a judge decide the case rather than a jury, arguing that pre-trial publicity could have prejudiced jurors.