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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.
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.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.
"The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in firing, the judge said."The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in firing, the judge said.
The verdict was welcomed by a spokesman for the police union.The verdict was welcomed by a spokesman for the police union.
The defendants had opted to have a judge decide the case rather than a jury, arguing that pre-trial publicity could have prejudiced jurors.The defendants had opted to have a judge decide the case rather than a jury, arguing that pre-trial publicity could have prejudiced jurors.
UndercoverUndercover
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 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.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.
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.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.
Police welcome the judge's verdict
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.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. 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 - we have to deal with circumstances as they come" and sometimes made mistakes.
GaspsGasps
But there was outrage at the verdict among Bell's family and supporters.But there was outrage at the verdict among Bell's family and supporters.
The three detectives denied the charges against them Angry scenes outside court following the verdict
Inside the courtroom, Bell's mother sobbed and gasps were heard as the verdict was given.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.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!"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.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.Two of the acquitted officers were black.


What is your reaction to the verdict? Are you in New York? Send your comments using the form belowWhat is your reaction to the verdict? Are you in New York? Send your comments using the form below
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