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Police acquitted over NY shooting Police acquitted over NY shooting
(about 1 hour 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, who was black, was shot as he left 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.
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, and there were angry protests outside the court.
Shouts of "No!" erupted in the crowd as word of the verdict spread, said reports. Some people wept on each other's shoulders. Bell's fiancee, Nicole Paultre Bell, walked out of the packed courtroom as soon as Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman cleared the three officers of all charges.
Some protesters marched outside the courthouse, shouting "No justice in America!" "The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in firing, the judge said.
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. The verdict was welcomed by a spokesman for the police union.
But the police officers insisted they suspected one of Bell's companions was armed. The defendants had opted to have a judge decide the case rather than a jury, arguing that pre-trial publicity could have prejudiced jurors.
Packed court Undercover
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 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.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.
Protesters argued the number of bullets fired was excessive
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. 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.
After the verdict a spokesman for a police union, Patrick J Lynch, told reporters it proved that police officers could expect "fairness" when in court.
He said that Bell's death had been a "tragedy", but said that for police officers out on the streets there "is never a script - they deal with circumstances as they come" and sometimes made mistakes.
Gasps
But there was outrage at the verdict among Bell's family and supporters.
The three detectives denied the charges against them
Inside the courtroom, Bell's mother sobbed and gasps were heard as the verdict was given.
Outside there was outrage among the dozens of protesters, many of whom had queued since the early hours to try to get into the court.
Shouts of "No!" erupted as word of the verdict spread. Some people wept on each other's shoulders, while others shouted "No justice in America!"
The veteran black civil rights campaigner Rev Al Sharpton, who has led many of the protests around the case and was in court on Friday, has argued it is not about race but about police accountability.
Two of the acquitted officers were black.