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Police acquitted over NY shooting Police acquitted over NY shooting
(about 10 hours 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. Mr 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 defendants had opted to not be tried by a jury.
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. Mr Bell and two friends were apparently trying to drive away from the Kalua club when the shooting occurred early on the morning of 25 November 2006.
In pictures: Sean Bell verdict In pictures: Sean Bell verdict class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7368334.stm">Crowds stunned by verdict
The police officers who fired were among five undercover officers who had been investigating prostitution allegations at the club. Mr Bell was killed and his friends both seriously injured.
Bell was killed and his friends were seriously injured. Mr Isnora, who with his colleagues was investigating a prostitution ring, said he had followed the trio to their car because he believed they were going to carry out a drive-by shooting.
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. No gun was found in the 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. Critics argued the officers had used excessive force in firing 50 shots at the car.
But the police officers insisted they suspected one of Bell's companions was armed. A spokesman for a police union, Patrick J Lynch, told reporters that the verdict proved police officers could expect "fairness" in court.
Police welcome the judge's verdict New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement that he accepted the authority of the court to decide the case.
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. "There are no winners in a trial like this. No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffer," he said.
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. The US Department of Justice said it was conducting a review of the shooting to decide whether a federal crime had been committed.
GaspsGasps
But there was outrage at the verdict among Bell's family and supporters. There was outrage at the verdict among Mr Bell's family and supporters.
Angry scenes outside court following the verdictAngry 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, Mr Bell's mother sobbed and gasps were heard as the verdict was announced.
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 were shouts of "murderers" from among the dozens of protesters gathered.
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!" Some 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. Veteran civil rights campaigners Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson criticised the outcome, saying the case was about police accountability, not race.
Mr Jackson said the decision was a "travesty of justice".
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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