This is a live blog of the not guilty verdict announced this morning. Detectives Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper were acquitted of all charges.
It will update automatically in most browsers.
Matthew Chayes, Deborah Morris and Carl MacGowan, Keith Herbert, Tony DeStefano, Daniel Edward Rosen, Rocco Parascandola and Sarah Portlock will be contributing to this blog.
The items posted here will be in chronological order, with the last item at the bottom being the most recent. Covertitlive, our blogging technology, should automatically scroll down to reflect the last item and will update automatically.
| Sean Bell Verdict | (04/25/2008) Powered by: CoveritLive |
8:15 | Good morning, welcome to the live blogging of the Sean Bell verdict. |
8:16 | As mentioned above, it will be fed by Newsday reporters. |
8:18 | Your blogger this morning will be Emilio, with the help of and wisdom of several reporters and editors. We're trying out the new Coveritlive live blogging technology, which will allow you to submit questions and answer polls. |
8:19 | I drove past the Queens Courthouse this morning, plenty of barricades and news crews, but no police presence as of 6:20 a.m. |
8:31 | At around 8 a.m., there was a very small, aging memorial at the site where Sean Bell was killed at Liverpool Street at 94th Avenue about a block away from the Kahlua Club. On the side of a commercial body shop at the corner, the memorial features words written in tape and magic marker reading “RIP Sean B” with a cross fashioned out of tape and a faded photo that appears to show angel’s wings. On the sidewalk this morning were a few bouquets of flowers — one fresh and one not — a lit candle and a water jug for collecting donations. The jug appeared to have about $5 in change. The streets were quiet with commuters headed to and from the nearby LIRR Jamaica Station. Nearby on the wall, the phrases “Sealed in blood S. B.,” “Sean Bell” and “long live” were scrawled in magic marker. — CM |
8:37 | Our story this morning has also been updated. Check it out here. |
8:48 | VERDICT TIME: Some confusion this morning with the time at which the verdict is expected. Although some outlets have initially said 9:30 a.m., the verdict by Judge Arthur J. Cooperman is expected by 9 o'clock. |
8:50 | BELL SUPPORTERS READY: Whatever the verdict in the racially charged Sean Bell trial, his supporters are ready -- to celebrate or to protest the outcome. They're clutching signs in front of the courthouse, like "People's Verdict Pigs are Guilty as hell! Justice for Sean Bell." People like Carl Dix, a 59-year-old from Flatbush who is an organizer for the Revolutionary Communist Party USA, New York branch are on the scene. He was handing out flyers saying "the cops who blew away Sean Bell need to be put in jail!" If they're found guilty, Dix said, "that will be a small piece of justice." If they're not? Well, "people are gonna be mad." He paused. "We'll figure out how we're going to express that anger." - MC |
8:54 | NEWS CREWS WORK OVERNIGHT: As early as 8 o’clock Thursday night, news trucks began arriving on Queens Boulevard outside the State Supreme Court building in Kew Gardens -- their crews staking out prime real estate locations. That’s more than 12 hours before the verdict was expected to be announced. And New York City police had already set up barricades — and posted no parking signs — for about a block in each direction outside the court. By morning those prime parking spots were filled with a variety of police vehicles. -DM |
8:55 | AL SHARPTON ARRIVES: Al Sharpton arrived at the courthouse with an entourage that include Bell’s fiance, Nicole Paultre Bell, as well as with the two survivors of the shooting -- Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield. And Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch arrived to the courthouse at the same time at the courthouse. This was at 8:22 a.m. Friday. Sharpton, Paultre Bell, Guzman and Benefield walked into court through the front door. Lynch went in through a side door. Another juxtaposition of the fates occurred little more than 10 minutes later. The three detectives charged in the case — Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper -- arrived at the courthouse at 8:35 a.m. So did a group of protesters. The cops said nothing. The protesters, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a portrait of Sean Bell, sang and carried signs that read “No Justice, No Peace.” -DM |
8:58 | OPONENTS SIDE-BY-SIDE: A sea of blue shirted cops from the Community Affairs Bureau are standing shoulder to shoulder in front of protesters holding "Justice for Sean Bell" signs. -MC |
8:59 | [Comment From chris] anyplace online to see the verdict lice? |
9:02 | I do not know, Chris. Our affiliate CW11 is not carrying the verdict live online |
9:02 | SUPPORTERS WEAR T-SHIRTS: Members of the public began lining up outside the courthouse as early as 6:30 a.m. seeking courtroom seats. "I'm here to support the family," said James Patnaude, 59, of Manhattan, one of the first 10 people in line. Just as Patnaude finished his words, the Rev. Al Sharpton appeared, surrounded by cameras, walking across Queens Boulevard. Sharpton, dressed in a blue suit and yellow tie, entered the courthouse with members of Sean Bell's family. He offered no comment to reporters. Later a group walked in front of the courthouse and sang "Marching to Zion." They wore t-shirts with Bell's photo. -KH |
9:05 | [Comment From chris] will you announce the verdict on this blog? |
9:06 | COMMENT REPLY: Yes, we will announce the verdict on the blog the minute we get it. |
| 9:06 | What do you think will be the verdict? Guilt on all counts ( 10% ) ( 38% ) ( 51% ) |
9:09 | [Comment From tracy] what time do you suspect we will know the verdict? |
9:10 | COMMENT REPLY: Don't know the exact time, the judge will probably go over his reasoning for his ruling prior to giving out the rulings. |
9:12 | LOCKDOWN: At exactly 9 o'clock, cops and court officers began shouting, "it's 9 o'clock" and kicked off some kind of lockdown of the courthouse and the area in front of the main entrances. The shouting officers jarred with the call-and-response chanting of protesters. "Justice" one woman would say, and the crowd would respond, "for Sean Bell." -MC |
9:14 | AP ALERT: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of an unarmed man on his wedding day. |
| 9:15 | Do you think the acquittal is fair? No ( 22% ) ( 78% ) |
9:17 | PRAYERS BY CHURCH - Congregants from the Baptist Church of Christ in Jamaica, where one congregant said the Paultre and Bell families are involved with, marched to the courthouse solemnly singing "We're Marching to Zion" wearing Sean Bell t-shirts and pins with Sean Bell's face on them. They went to the end of the line to the courthouse and were led in silent prayer by Bishop Lester L. Williams and his wife, Shirley Williams. Royston "Uncle Roy" Antoine, 60, said he was there to show his support for Bell. "Why didn't they read the verdict when the pope was here?" Antoine asked. "They were fearing there would be a riot." -DER |
9:22 | [Comment From Dan] Now the verdict is in, Let us hope and pray for both sides. May we all stay level headed. Keep it safe. |
9:22 | [Comment From courious] is the court house a man house right now? |
9:23 | FROM CW11: Scene outside Kew Gardens courthouse is quiet right now. |
9:23 | [Comment From Guest] surprising |
9:24 | [Comment From fruchtman] can we get back to normal now? |
9:25 | STORY UPDATE: Check out our verdict story here, all updated. |
9:25 | [Comment From courious] do the people outside know about the verdict? |
9:26 | COMMENT REPLY: Yes, the people outside know about the verdict. |
9:26 | [Comment From Guest] 3 murders walk free? only in america |
9:26 | [Comment From Guest] No, this will never die. Sharpton lives for stuff like this. Granted, it was terrible...it was a tragic accident...but certain people wont let it go away. |
9:29 | [Comment From Guest] some people just don't understand the difference between justice and revenge |
9:30 | [Comment From Guest] There will be rallies, etc. this weekend...hopefully no violence.. |
9:30 | [Comment From Bri] They weren't murderers. If everyone followed the case, they would see that none of them were guilty of murder. As the Judge just ruled. |
9:32 | NYPD COMMISH: Ray Kelly says there are no problems in the streets, but there's a lot of cops in the street. |
9:32 | [Comment From Guest] I couldn't agree more. It was a tragic accident. There are NO murderers in this case. |
9:32 | [Comment From Observer] They might be guilty of something but not murder... |
9:32 | [Comment From Me] When a police officer tells you to stop and put your hands up...... you STOP and PUT YOUR HANDS UP!! Simple as that. |
9:32 | [Comment From seatow] Dan, I agree, but this does not just involve both sides, it involves society and I pray for everyone to handle this in a "level headed" manner. |
| 9:33 | Do you think there will be a violent backlash related to the verdict? No ( 44% ) ( 56% ) |
9:34 | PBA REP: This is a tragedy, but police officers have to live with outcome. But it is a fair verdict and we are grateful, says spokesman from the Police Benevolent Association. |
9:35 | [Comment From Coocho] The prosecutions case was very shotty |
9:35 | [Comment From queens, ny] these cops are literally getting away with murder. but if the president of the united states can steal votes, create a fake war and take down the wtc, why not let the cops kill and go free! |
9:35 | [Comment From Coocho] They deserved to walk |
9:35 | [Comment From Bri] Unfortunately, I do think there will be violent backlash. I really hope that their won't be and everyone will realize the justice is served. But there are still ignorant people out there who will cause more problems for themselves by violently protesting this verdict. |
9:36 | [Comment From Guest] If and when you take someone's life it is murder. Some people justify why they did it. So, he did not stop and put his hands up, so that is good enough to kill him? You shoot a dog or less just tie him up and you go to jail. |
9:36 | EMOTIONAL REACTION. A man believed to be Trent Benefield came running out of the courthouse and the news of the verdict then rippled through the crowd. The reaction from the crowd was visceral and emotional. But people were under control. It was very emotional but there was no violence -- just an air of grave disappointment. People are still here, milling about and talking on their cell phones. People are crying but now that it's sunk in, the crowd is calmer. It is a largely black crowd of Sean Bell supporters. Some people are spilling onto Queens Boulevard in front of the courthouse but traffic is moving along. Right now there are three police helicopters hovering in the air. -- DM |
9:37 | [Comment From Shauna Archer] If it was murder or not I believe that there are two little girls without a father a bride without a groom. This man was celebrating his wedding like so many of us do. What was his crime that was punishable by death? |
9:38 | [Comment From Coocho] Walk the shoes of a police officer in a bad neighborhood then make a comment like that |
9:39 | MODERATION: Folks, we try to publish your comments, as long as they are respectful and pertinent. |
9:39 | [Comment From Bri] Guest. Self defense is not murder. They tried to run him over with a car. They heard him say he had a gun. Even though a gun wasn't found, they had probable cause to believe there was a gun. They used their car as the weapon. |
9:39 | [Comment From upset] im just upset they didnt get charged with SOMETHING reguardless they're not guilty of murder but they shot at people who were unarmed and killed one of them when they weren't even there for that reason to begin with the cops were there to investgate prostitution its just wrong and im upset they get to walk there was no reason to shoot 50 times this is not justice they're basically proving cops can shoot and kill unarmed people and they'll just walk away |
9:39 | [Comment From Me] Why was a groom in a drug infested strip club a few hours before his wedding???? |
9:39 | [Comment From Guest] So running down a police officer with your car is ok? Running from the cops when they are clearly trying to stop you is ok? Come on... |
9:40 | [Comment From michele] there is no reason that they should have fired a gun that many times...its unfair and they should have never walked...it a was a brutal shooting and is not fair...these cops really do get away with murder! |
9:40 | PBA PREZ SPEAKS OUT - Pat Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, just spoke outside the courthouse. He said, "with this case there's no winners, there's no losers. We still have police officers that have to live with the fact that there was a death involved with their case ... It's a tragedy for all police officers ... nonetheless we are grateful for this outcome." People started shouting "murderers, murderers" when the PBA officers came out. --DM |
9:41 | [Comment From sarah] The point is...there were 50 shots fired... if you really were trying to defend yourself once they shot him the first time it wouldve been enough, what makes it unbelievable that they are found not guilty is the fact that it was 50 shots fired. |
9:41 | [Comment From Coocho] I am not saying he deserved to die, and my prayers go out to his family. However, lets not make them to be stand up citizens, he was hanging out with thugs and drug dealers n a strip club |
9:41 | [Comment From Shauna Archer] living in a bad neighborhood is not a crime |
9:41 | [Comment From wally] They weren't unarmed, they had a 4000 lb weapon chasing down police officers. Thier car!! |
9:41 | [Comment From Bri] 50 shots is excessive. However, that is our opinions. None of us were there to say what we would and wouldn't have done. |
9:42 | [Comment From Bri] That's horrible. "Murderers" being shouted at them. These cops are found not guilty and will never live it down. |
9:42 | [Comment From Shauna Archer] they didnt run down a police officer in uniform. unlike the officers sean did not have crisis training. |
9:42 | [Comment From Guest] trying to get away from gunfire = leaving, not chasing |
9:42 | [Comment From Bri] Shauna - So it's okay to run down just any person with a car? |
9:42 | [Comment From Guest] All neighborhoods are bad if I can live there they can walk there. They just help make it bad. Why is a drug infested club in the neighborhood the city don't go after them just the people who visit. Beside if someone start shooting I will run over anyone in my way trying to get out of there. |
9:43 | [Comment From GI] These cops had a trail by judge on purpose |
9:43 | [Comment From Guest] Exactly....if your being shot at then yes |
9:43 | [Comment From Shauna Archer] one thats pointing a gun at you yes |
9:44 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
9:45 | [Comment From Coocho] Someone did not just start shooting for no reason. If they would have gotten out of the car to begin with this would have never happened |
9:45 | [Comment From Me] Just like everyone else ...policemen want to go home to their families at the end of their shift....not to the morgue. It is better to judged by twelve than carried by six. |
9:45 | [Comment From GI] No Judge will convict there own kind |
9:45 | [Comment From Bri] GL - Yes, they did. And eveyone has a right to waive a trial by jury. |
9:45 | [Comment From Guest] If a person is pointing a gun at you and didnt identify himself as an officer you are going to try to get away and run over that person if you have to, because you feel threatened. |
9:45 | [Comment From GI] and also, if these cops had time to reload, and in that time, no return gun fire was given, that fact alone is excessive force! |
9:45 | [Comment From Guest] If its late and youre leaving a club with your friends and the music in the car is blaring...then theres someone in front of you shouting with a gun in his hands tthen alls fair.... |
9:45 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
9:46 | VERDICT RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man, on his wedding day. |
9:47 | STORY UPDATE: Check out our verdict story here, all updated. |
9:47 | [Comment From Bri] So then should you be found as a murderer for running down someone who had a gun pointed at you? |
9:47 | [Comment From Coocho] Guest were you there? Do you knwo they did not identify themselves as police officers. Or are you taking the word of a known drug dealer who saiid they did not identify themselves?? |
9:47 | [Comment From chosen] I am disgusted by this verdict |
9:47 | [Comment From Guest] No one seems to see that 31 shots means a full clip was emptied and then reloaded and emptied again!!!!!! |
9:47 | [Comment From Guest] Alls fair? That is the kind of thinking that gets people killed |
9:47 | [Comment From Me] God bless the NYC Police. |
9:47 | [Comment From Observer] If you didn't hear ALL the testimony you're just another armchair quarterback making things up. |
9:48 | [Comment From Paola T.] 50 shots is a very extreme but one of them shot 4 times...i think it was wreckless in the officers part however i don't think it was murder. unfortunately in our side of town, well in mine...queens, young men feel like they have accomplished something when they challenge a police officer. i honestly think it was a tragic accident and now he is the almost like the face of rockaway, so hopefully young people in my neighborhood would take officers more seriously |
9:48 | [Comment From GI] But what do we expect....Rodney King's beating was caught on video tape and those officers were aquitted....looks like we are still living in those times |
9:48 | [Comment From marylynn] If they had just stopped when the cops showed up and got out of the car instead of trying to run, there would have been no trial. If a cop says Stop, just stop. Its easier to talk than crash into someone. |
9:48 | [Comment From chosen] This is rediculous....This hostility is going to get US nowhere! |
9:49 | [Comment From Be Impartial] What necessitates the "on his wedding day" n summarizing this case? True, perhaps, but about 1% relevant. |
9:50 | RECAP COMMENT: That's the way the AP alert ran: NEW YORK (AP) — Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of an unarmed man on his wedding day. |
9:50 | [Comment From Dee] I am truly truly ashamed to be a new yorker |
9:50 | [Comment From Me] To "Impartial" I agree with you 100% |
9:50 | [Comment From Guest] to empty the magazine of a pistol twice? I dont HAVE to be there. Were YOU there? Acording to these cops, they have a pretty sketchy memory of weather or not they IDed themselves right. |
9:50 | [Comment From Bri] This is not RODNEY KING. This is not a race related case. This is a horrible circumstance of one night, that unfortunately left a man dead. Not murdered. |
9:52 | [Comment From mike] which is why AP and other news companies are losing power to blogs and cable, because its their liberal, sensational bias which has turned off the normal people in society |
9:52 | [Comment From Dee] To walk away freely like that baffles me. They should have been charged with at least reckless endangerment |
9:52 | [Comment From b.j.] I LOVE NY - AMERICA - AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM |
9:52 | [Comment From GI] Of course it is not a race thing, but it doesn't have to be "Race" to show prejudice! |
9:52 | [Comment From Guest] I doubt Bell feels like it was not murder. |
9:52 | [Comment From Guest] Although saddened by the verdict I am not surprised. There is always unjustice when it comes to the cops and the black community and sad to say always will be |
9:52 | [Comment From Guest] My question is when do it stop? Police have been killing people for just about any reason, any time and any place and it is all justifiable. Why go to trial, it just a pay check, right. What is going to happen is Eddie Byrnes all over and it just going to keep going on over and over. |
9:52 | [Comment From GI] There is all sorts of prejudice! |
9:52 | [Comment From Coocho] Cops identify themselves in scary situations it is a natural thing for them to do so. Please stop looking fo rexcuses. People always blame the cops until they need their help for something. |
9:52 | SHOCK OVER VERDICT: In Jamaica, construction worker Lusty Lopez, 50, of Jamaica was walking by the Bell memorial and had just heard the verdict. '"That's not right, man," he said. Lopez had been following the case closely and believed the police would be found innocent of all charges. "I knew the fix was in from the jump," he said, citing race as a factor even though two of the charged officers are black. Nurse's aide Hazel Henry, 57, of Springfield Gardens, said she was shocked when she heard the verdict. "I don't think that's right. They should get some punishment. They took a life," she said. "Oh my God, that's unbelievable." She was angry, she said. "There is no justice here no more." Registering her shock, Henry said, "Free? Free? Free? All them free?" She added, "They need to think before they shoot," she said. --CM |
9:53 | [Comment From Bri] I agree. Reckless Endangerment, but not murder. |
9:55 | STORY UPDATE: Check out our verdict story here, all updated. |
9:55 | [Comment From GI] Not all cops are bad....not all cops are good...sometime the justice system works sometime it doesn't....we recognize the facts and for someone to listen to all of the facts in this case and say they aren't guilty of anything, a blind eye to justice! |
9:55 | [Comment From Guest] Coocho I agree 100%. To be a cop in NY is a lose lose. I admire all NYC police officers for their courage every day. Every move you make is questioned. If you fail to shoot someone you are incompetent but if you shoot someone you are a murderer. The reality is that this was a tragic accident that could have been prevented if people would actually obey the laws and listen to the cops |
9:55 | [Comment From Bri] I would love to get the transcipts of the verdict. |
9:56 | [Comment From Observer] If you didn't hear ALL the testimony you're only making comments about you're own personal bias... |
9:56 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
9:56 | [Comment From Bri] Observer - Agree! |
9:56 | [Comment From PMT106] TO BE A COP IN QUEENS ALONE...IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY COP IN SUFFOLK COUNTY! |
9:57 | [Comment From Coocho] Exactly it is a very tragic "ACCIDENT" being the key word. I am sure these men did not intend to murder someone that night for no apperant reason. |
9:57 | [Comment From GI] And to the comment about, blaming cops, until we need them...is just like saying you're on the cops side, until they kill one of your family members "Accidentally" |
9:58 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. |
9:58 | [Comment From GI] 50 shots...they intended to kill someone in deed |
9:59 | [Comment From Bri] PMT - Yes, they are very different then Suffolk. They don't get paid nearly as much as they should. |
9:59 | [Comment From Dee] I agree that they did not intend on murdering anyone. But there actions were definitely rash. And they deserve some type of pnishment |
9:59 | [Comment From Chris] God bless our law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make. We should always remember that hindsight is 20/20 ... those officers had no way of knowing that he was unarmed. |
9:59 | [Comment From PMT106] ITS A ROUGH SITUATION...HOPEFULLY MANY YOUNG PEOPLE SEE BOTH SIDES AND HOW HARD THIS CASE WAS AND LEARN FROM IT. |
9:59 | [Comment From Guest] Coocho, what did they do to prevent it? "I am sorry I killed you." does not work. |
9:59 | [Comment From Guest] Coocho........ yeah they might not have intended on killing him but why did they feel the need to fire 50 shots.... once he was hit and his friends were wounded there was no reason to keep shooting |
10:02 | [Comment From Coocho] Sean getting out of the car could have prevented everything |
10:02 | [Comment From Be Impartial] Thank you |
10:02 | [Comment From Tracy] I would agree that this was an accident if 50 shots were not fired. They went completly overboard when they shot 50 times. They should have been charged with something and not completly acquitted. That is just not right. |
10:02 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] I suppose when you hear all the gunfire it's difficult to say if it's friend or foe |
10:02 | [Comment From Guest] Chris- they had no way of knowing he was unarmed?? thats ridiculous... people are blind....its 50 SHOTSSS!! |
10:02 | [Comment From Jigga man] Come on people, the one cop even reloaded......thats just rediculous.... I think Michael Oliver should have gotten some type of sentence.... |
10:02 | [Comment From Coocho] Publisher with all due respect everytime I respond you do not post. i am not disrepspecting anyone in my responses |
10:02 | [Comment From Bri] 50 shots sounds very excessive, yes. However, none of us were their. None of us are police officers. None of us know all of the facts. Even the people that were at the scene probably don't know all the facts. They all have different perspectives. |
10:03 | INCIDENT: Woman escorted out of courthouse. Stay tuned. |
10:03 | [Comment From Coocho] The car stopping with everyone getting out could have prevented all of this. Lets not forget that. |
10:03 | [Comment From Guest] it was panic fire, we all understand that. maybe even some "sympathy fire" when you get exited and fire because other people are. In either case, a man is dead, and "Sorry, my bad." does not seem to fit into the public image of what people need to hear anymore. |
10:03 | [Comment From Observer] There is always a price to pay for bad choices, some are just more extreme than others... |
10:05 | NO COMMENT FROM SHARPTON: The media was set up with a podium. Al Sharpton, Nicole Bell, Joseph Guzman, all walked out in a group without addressing the media. They left the complex and are walking down the street. -DM |
| 10:06 | [Image] | bell.jpg View |
10:07 | PHOTO CAPTION. The scene from outside the Queens courthouse where Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper have been acquitted of all charges in the shooting of Sean Bell. Newsday/Keith Herbert |
10:07 | [Comment From Dee] I agree once you shoot it's done but to contiously was not necessary |
10:07 | [Comment From Guest] Think about how quickly this all happened and how easy it is to fire of shot after shot. If you were unsure of whether you were being shot at, would you just stop and wait to be shot? These officers did not intend to kill anyone that night. Now they have to live with this for the rest of their lives, not an easy thing |
10:08 | [Comment From Guest] "I knew the fix was in from the jump," he said, citing race as a factor even though two of the charged officers are black. |
10:08 | [Comment From Chris] Tracy..They were charged!! and found NOT GUILTY |
10:08 | [Comment From Bri] If you felt your life was at risk, would you reload? |
10:08 | [Comment From Guest] I agree Bri |
10:08 | [Comment From Guest] im a young person and i do see both sides...so the cops who fired 4 shots i dont blame but the officer who fired 31 times....that totally escapes my ability to understand!!! 31 shots is almost two full clips emptied!!! |
10:08 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] does anyone know the timespan of those 50 shots |
10:09 | [Comment From Carmen] I think this is ridiculous, then they ask why people don't call the police or respect them, but I dont' care what kind of sheild you hold what was done was unacceptable and our justice system is really out of reality's context. |
10:09 | [Comment From Dee] Observer I agree with you but in this case they made a devastating decisions. This was not a choice. |
10:09 | [Comment From GI] I honestly think that, if they had know they were officers, they would have stopped and gotten out...personally, if someone gives me a CHANCE before shooting me....then I will do what they say...ESPECIALLY if I have NOTHING to defend myself with...I am sure all of them knew they couldn't out run a bullet! |
10:09 | [Comment From Shaniquia Utley] i don't understand what type of judge would find these individuals not guitly. What amaze me is that the media keeps saying that he was killed in a shootout with police. How in the worls was it a shootout when the victims did not have a gun it seems to me that a shootout consist of two parties shooting at each other. It seem to me that the whole judical court systems in the state of New York need to be looked at because the police in that area will continue to kill people when they have judges helping them out. I really believe that if a black police would have shot 40 shots at a white male he would have been found guilty. |
10:09 | [Comment From doc] no one thinks "my bad" is somehow sufficient... no one is saying that... but the PO's lives were in danger as were other law abiding citizens... and they, the PO's, did their job. |
10:09 | [Comment From Carmen] Really, people are that naive and disrespectful, they make a big deal out of incidents with police officers but does that mean civilians are considered less? |
10:10 | [Comment From Guest] One guy fired four times. Does this not tell you something about the other two? Its simple math. |
10:10 | [Comment From Guest] make no mistake, they intended to kill someone, thats what the bullets were all about. |
10:10 | [Comment From LI Bri] One step closer to the Police States of America. |
10:10 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
10:10 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. |
10:12 | [Comment From J-rock] C'mon people. ANyone who watched the case and knows anything about the law knows there's no way these cops were going to be found guilty. I do not doubt that there's alot here for a good civil case. There's also a lot of blame to go around the NYPD for the manner in which the sting op was carried out, and the NYPD investigation after the shooting. |
10:12 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] according to the law, they would be found not guilty if there is any reasonable doubt (remember this is not the same as innocent) |
10:12 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] thanks to the moderator for keeping this discussion civil, i was over at the fox new york chat, and it is a bloodbath of hate |
10:12 | [Comment From Flem] Civil trial sounds like the only way to get any sort of ju$tice |
10:14 | [Comment From Guest] then there is the issue of one of the officers partaking in a few drinks that night! THat would be oliver who is the PO who reloaded and kept firing! At 3:00 in the morning a gun is pointed at you while in your car with the music on the you do what you can to flee. Its that simple. |
10:14 | [Comment From Guest] there is never justice in money, only revenge, but i agree, it should at least be discussed |
10:14 | [Comment From dmad] No problem with this verdict. Feel that it is the right decision. |
10:14 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] the officers will also be subject to a departmental hearing as well, and it is very likely that they will lose their jobs and pensions |
10:16 | UNHAPPY BIRTHDAYS: A festive celebration turned sour for St. Albans residents Kifran Vaughan and Myia Koonce, who both took the day off as switchboard operators to celebrate their 24th birthdays this week. Walking by the Bell memorial, the women said their celebrations were ruined when they learned of the verdict. They took phone calls from other friends who were shocked by the verdict. "It shows that police can do anything," Vaughan said. Koonce added, "How can you let cops get away with that?" She said, "I don't see anyone happy about this. What justice is served?" "No justice," her friend replied. "I'm really speechless." -CM |
10:16 | STATEMENT BY MAYOR BLOOMBERG ON VERDICTS: As issued by City Hall: “There are no winners in a trial like this. An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son. No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffer. Judge Cooperman’s responsibility, however, was to decide the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. "America is a nation of laws, and though not everyone will agree with the verdicts and opinions issued by the courts, we accept their authority. Today’s decision is no different. There will be opportunities for peaceful dissent and potentially for further legal recourse – those are the rights we enjoy in a democratic nation. We don’t expect violence or law-breaking, nor is there any place for it. We have come too far as society – and as a City – to be dragged back to those days. “When I spoke with Nicole Paultre Bell on the steps of City Hall this week, I told her that while we can’t bring back the man that she was in love with, we can and will build and make things better. "She replied ‘Yes, and make sure it doesn’t happen again,’ and I agreed, ‘Yes, that’s exactly what we have to do.’ All of us have a responsibility to improve our neighborhoods and our City, and we can only do that by working together, respecting each other, and doing everything possible to prevent future tragedies and injustices.” |
| 10:18 | Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's statement will help heal the verdict? Yes ( 18% ) ( 82% ) |
10:18 | [Comment From Guest] I am certain thier CO's are NOT happy about even having to HEAR a verdict. |
10:18 | [Comment From GI] GOOD! |
10:19 | [Comment From jm] it is very easy to second quess.the undercover said there was a gun ininvolved once the first shot was fired it is hard to tell where they are coming from and especially with the car moving. No-one knows what it is like to be in that situation and why do people only consider it justice when someone is foung guilty |
10:19 | [Comment From Guest] It is a tragedy all around. One man lost his live and three others lives will NEVER be the same |
10:19 | [Comment From Dee] Arthur Dent even though they are subject to departmental hearings that is not enough |
10:19 | [Comment From jm] As long as that first shot is fired legally(it was) then the rest is academic |
10:19 | [Comment From Guest] I think this is all bull. As a officer you are to wait until shots are fired before shotting. And they are to fire only to disarm not kill. What ever the case my be I don't care if it was 1 shot or 50, there still was not gun found at the scene.So something has got to give. |
10:19 | [Comment From jm] It is unfortunate and sad for all these officers whether anyone wants to accept it or not will live with this the rest of their lives |
10:19 | [Comment From LI Bri] “I thought he had a gun”. With that line a cop could get away with killing a parade of school children. |
10:20 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. |
10:21 | [Comment From Guest] I have two police officers in my family and they both are in agreement that Oliver should definitely have been sentenced. I personally feel that regardless of what the verdict was the bottom line will still be the same. PEOPLE have only had the OFFICER-CIVILIAN relationship solitified onto a level of distrust and complete disgust!!! |
10:26 | COPS' FUTURE: Check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here |
10:27 | [Comment From J-rock] That is where the focus should be. On the departmental hearings. It will be interesting to see what happens there. The NYPD recently started giving breathalyzers after an officer/detective discharges a weapon. Pat Lynch didn't even want to allow that. The officers did have a couple of drinks, no one knows what. The operation was poorly planned. One of the detectives said "Let me holler at you". Come on, if I'm on the street and someone says that to me after I've just been in an argument and the person saying that to me has a weapon you think I'm staying. There was definitely fault. Once again however, I'll say that it would have been injustice to convict these cops after such a farcical trial. |
10:27 | [Comment From jm] Does anyone realize that NYC police officers face the most gun situations of any police force and have the highest restraint per gun incident |
10:27 | [Comment From jm] when an officer fires a gun it is fear of his life |
10:27 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Dee, Why is losing their jobs and all of their pensions which they have worked many years not punishment enough. What would you suggest ? |
10:27 | [Comment From jm] Ask how many times has an officer been killed because he didn't pull his gun. |
10:27 | [Comment From GI] See these officers will LIVE with it for the rest of their LIVES....well at least they still have a LIFE to LIVE |
10:27 | [Comment From Tracy] Shooting 50 times at unarmed men, they really should have been convicted of seomething. Even if it was not all charges, they should still be punished in some way. To let the cops get away with this is just wrong, it was excessive abuse of their power and they now will think they can get away with this all the time. |
10:28 | [Comment From jm] The officers state of mind is based on what they are told be the undercover.Again while tragic no-one can ever get inside of the officers or the 3 men remember during the trial all the news services pointed out the inconsitencies of ALL witnesses |
10:28 | [Comment From John] Im glad the police used a NON jury trial.... |
10:28 | [Comment From J-rock] Well, I agree Oliver really seemed quite extreme. 31 shots and the dude beside you shoots four. The DA however couldn't even make the case that at least Oliver acted recklessly. The real anger should be directed at the manner in which this case was prosecuted. Inept police sting operations. Inept forensic investigations. Inept prosecution. Holy cow!! Criminals must be feeling super confident right now. |
10:28 | [Comment From GI] Then Those officers should know how to handle a gun situation |
10:28 | [Comment From GI] and its not by 50 shots |
10:28 | [Comment From ms j] very sad case all around |
10:28 | [Comment From GI] and this wasn't a gun situation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
10:29 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here |
10:29 | [Comment From Guest] I agree with the verdict. Bell charged at the Officers with his vehicle, the cops felt threatened and acted how they were trained. I think it is ridiculous that the families are claiming racism when two of the Officers were black themselves. I know that there are some cases in our Country that truly have racism and aren’t just, but not in this case. Of course there is anger & hurt when you lose someone close to you and you want whomever responsible to pay. Although the Police Officers were aquitted they will need to live with that night for the rest of their lives. |
10:29 | [Comment From fruchtman] let's all remember what beyond a reasonable doubt means |
10:30 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
10:30 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here |
10:31 | [Comment From Guest] Who is to say what kind of situation it was? No of us were there and only those who were know how it happened. And even then it will be their perspective |
10:31 | [Comment From Big jay] it is an outrage,that cops can get away with this,.absolute OUTRAGE. |
10:31 | [Comment From jm] There was no gun found but it was a gun situation because that is what the undercover reported |
10:31 | [Comment From Guest] you got it J-rock. and lets not forget it took the NYPD two weeks to officially release their statements!!!! |
10:31 | [Comment From Pat] As a lawyer I agree with the verdict, because the Prosecutor could not disprove the officer's self defense claim. |
10:31 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Rocco Parascandola's story is interesting, "Regardless of whether there are departmental charges, sources say there is virtually no chance that Oliver and Isnora, and maybe even Cooper, will ever work on the streets again." |
10:31 | [Comment From Dee] Arthur Dent, I would suggest that Internal Affairs seek more than them just losing their jobs and pension. Also that this become a federal case and not just a state case |
10:32 | [Comment From Mike] A car is considered a deadly weapon people. Bell drove into the officer, were the shots fired excessive? Yes. Did the officer have the right to fire his gun after being struck by the car? Yes. The two other officers were looking out for their partner. Cooper and Isnora were defending one of their own. I think anyone in that situation would do the same. Oliver is the only one that should have been convicted for Second degree Manslaughter, a felony, and the two counts of reckless endangerment. |
10:32 | [Comment From Guest] The media citing him as unarmed man is not true in its entirety.... people are forgetting that he charged at them with his car and almost ran over an Officer. |
10:32 | [Comment From LI Bri] Reasonable doubt = "I thought he had a gun". The first a cop learns at the academy. Just say "I thought he had a gun". Even if it's outright lie, it is OK to say it. |
10:35 | MORE REACTIONS: The verdict provoked an outpouring of emotions: Bell’s fiancee immediately walked out of the room, and his mother wept. Officer Michael Oliver, who fired the most shots, also cried. Outside the courthouse, which was surrounded by scores of police officers, many in the crowd began weeping after hearing the verdict. Others were enraged, swearing and screaming “Murderers! Murderers!” or “KKK!” Before announcing the verdict, the judge made a statement indicating that the police officers’ version of events was more credible than that of the victims. “The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified” in shooting the victims, Cooperman said. About the version of events offered by the victims and other prosecution witnesses, he said, “At times the testimony just didn’t make sense.” -AP |
10:35 | [Comment From fruchtman] would it have been an outrage if they were found guilty? well, yeah |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] Ok if the cops were undercover therefore the were dressed in everyday street clothing. Now you as an UNARMED man have shots being fired at you what would you use as your defense. |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] you dont try to hit a police officer with a car - what did you think would happen. |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] Pat,the lawyer,..open your eyes,... |
10:36 | [Comment From Dee] I think they no longer deserve the honor and privelege of being officers |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] Dee - Why? For revenge? What justice would all that bring? Ruin the lives of three others even more so? This case has already caused enough damage and loss of life. Let's no take it any further |
10:36 | [Comment From jm] never used "thought" |
10:36 | [Comment From LI Bri] "As a lawyer I agree with the verdict, because the Prosecutor could not disprove the officer's self defense claim. " Self defense against what? If there's a car coming at you, move out of the way. Done! If Bell or one of his friends fired a gun, we wouldn't having this conversation. But they didn't. |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] LI Bri - That's what they teach you in the academy? You have been in the academy? Are you for real? What YOU said is a lie. |
10:36 | [Comment From Guest] People are not forgetting bout the car-thay just realize that the officer was in civilian clothes and he pointed a gun at the car. what would you do? |
10:37 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Let's not forget a thing known as the United States constitution, people are supposed to be free from double jeopardy, police do not get that luxury |
10:37 | [Comment From jm] and yes ALL officers who have been in any type of shooting should NEVER work the streets again. Their reactions or non reations are drastically altered. |
10:37 | [Comment From J-rock] Of course they're never going to work on the streets again. Their mugs are everywhere. Det. Oliver or Cooper or Isanora could never carry out another sting op. There's also the very real danger that some street thug might take aim at them just because. |
10:37 | [Comment From Hugh] The actions of Sean Bell and his friends resulted in his death. The police officers acted as any reasonable person would have. They believed that their lives were in danger. It would be a miscarriage of justice for the feds to now charge the police officers under their catch all "violation of civil rights" statue. |
10:38 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
10:38 | COMMENT MODERATION, part II: Insults and aspersions will not be approved |
10:43 | ABOUT THE JUDGE: Tony DeStefano just wrote a story about the decision. Read it here. |
10:44 | [Comment From perfect] stop saying "murder": be clear. the detectives were charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment. they didn't go with the intent to kill sean bell or guzman. but their actions did cause the death of this young man. this is why the verdict is an outrage. because the actions of these officers are the very definition of the crimes for which they were charged and regretfully acquitted. |
10:44 | [Comment From LI Bri] Guest, Yeah, I'm real. And you and everyone knows the truth; cops are taught what to say and what to do if they're involved in a shooting. They scretly congregate immediately after the shooting to get their stories straight. In this case, if my memory is correct, the cops even had a few days to meet w/the lawyers, each other, etc. BEFORE they were arrested and charged. All in an effort to get the lie straight. "I thought he had a gun." Works 100% of the time and every cop knows it. |
10:44 | [Comment From Guest] i'am so discusted at the justice system |
10:44 | [Comment From LI Bri] Hugh, 50 shots? If you have to fire 30 shots against his 0 shots to protect yourself, you're no cop. You're a murderer. |
10:44 | [Comment From Guest] No one ever mentioned the fact that Sean Bell's actions was because of the officers, being that they did not identify themselves he was trying to get out of harms way. If you supposedly had an argument with a person and then you go outside and there is someone with a gun pointed at you and they don't identify themselves as officers your high tailing out of there |
10:45 | [Comment From Mike] Li Bri.........It's obvious to everyone reading your comments that you are wearing horse blinders. You make it out that the officers were soley to blame which is far from the truth. |
10:45 | [Comment From mbm] I am in shock |
10:46 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. |
10:46 | NO JUSTICE, SAY SOME: A festive celebration turned sour for St. Albans residents Kifran Vaughan and Myia Koonce, who both took the day off of work as switchboard operators to celebrate their 24th birthdays this week. Walking by the Bell memorial, the women said their celebrations were ruined when they learned of the verdict. They took phone calls from other friends who were shocked by the verdict. "It shows that police can do anything," Vaughan said. Koonce added, "How can you let cops get away with that?" She said, "I don't see anyone happy about this. What justice is served?" "No justice," her friend replied. "I'm really speechless." --CM |
10:47 | [Comment From J-rock] Hugh, not really. As ROCCO PARASCANDOLA's article points out and as I've stated, the sting operation was a farce. If you leave open flames about you're not an arsonist but you can indeed be liable for property damages if the building burns down (a bad example but I'm doing this on the fly). He also pointed out that Isanora was not supposed to have confronted Bell and his pals. What was he thinking? Why didn't he say "POLICE" right then instead of this "let me holler at you real quick" that we've heard so much about? Bell and his buddies weren't choirboys but that's a simplistic view at best. |
10:47 | [Comment From mbm] I was sure they would have to do some time |
10:47 | [Comment From J-rock] A simplistic view which is almost as bad as one that doesn't give the detectives any benefit of the doubt I might add |
10:47 | [Comment From Guest] why does it take so many bullets? |
10:47 | [Comment From mbm] I was sure they would have to do some time |
10:47 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Tony DeStefano's story raises a great point, "But what swung Cooperman said swung him against the prosecution was the defense of justification -- self defense -- which he said shifted the burden of proof to prosecutors in a way they couldn't overcome." Remember everyone, law is not judging Guilt vs Innocence, it's determining whether there is enough proof to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that someone is guilty. |
10:47 | [Comment From in shock] WHO POLICE THE POLICE?????????????????????? WHERE WERE TASERS? THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS? BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GUN YOU DON'T EMPTY A CLIP BECAUSE YOU WANT TO. WHAT IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT? |
10:47 | [Comment From Guest] LI Bri - I can assure you that is not the way it goes. Open YOUR eyes, obviously you are biased and have something agaist cops |
10:48 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Please do not expect anything inflammatory or insulting to be approved. Thank you. |
10:48 | [Comment From Guest] as for cops getting their stories straight remember their were RADIO transmissions from the scene they are intitled to representation immediately after an incident and are also immediately interviewed by internal affairs after aquiring counsel and they have NO CHOICe but to answer particular questions |
10:49 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. |
10:50 | PHOTOS: Check out the trial photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. |
10:51 | [Comment From BB] we all can say what should have been done and not done, point is none of us were there and do not know how we would react if we felt threaten. it is sad no matter what either way |
10:51 | [Comment From Guest] the officers are to blame they are not dead. They acted without thinking and as someone that up holds the law you're to think things through. Thats their job to think fast in events like that. And they failed to do so. |
10:51 | [Comment From LI Bri] Mike, guest, and others defending this failed verdict. Stop trying to defend the officers actions. You don't have to. Cops have been given a free pass to kill at will. NO ACCOUNTABILITY. And by the way, as a volunteer in my fire dept. I get along very well w/the officers that hang out there. But doesn't mean I would tolerate a murderer carrying a badge. |
10:51 | [Comment From Guest] everyone now has something against cops |
10:52 | [Comment From Mike] Everyone is saying 50 bullets was excessive, but what does everyone think of Officer Cooper who fired his gun 4 times to defend one of his fellow officers. This officer should be able to keep his job. |
10:52 | [Comment From LI Bri] "as for cops getting their stories straight remember their were RADIO transmissions from the scene they are intitled to representation immediately after an incident and are also immediately interviewed by internal affairs after aquiring counsel and they have NO CHOICe but to answer particular questions " Right. Cops interviewing cops. Real effective. |
10:52 | [Comment From Guest2] Whats the big deal anyway? |
10:53 | [Comment From Guest2] Sorry I was typing in the wrong chat. I was in the NFL draft chat |
10:53 | [Comment From guest3] I am so glad they were found not guilty. |
10:54 | [Comment From Guest2] Shooting people is not something we should try not to do |
10:56 | [Comment From LI Bri] The only difference between a cop and a criminal: Criminals are held accountable for their crimes. |
10:57 | [Comment From Kathy from LI] Stopping the car when the police told them to stop would have prevented this entire incident. |
10:57 | [Comment From Guest] LI Bri - No accountability? Please tell me you aren't serious... as a voly you may get along with great with the cops that hang out there but that does NOT make you an insider or a cop. You have no clue as to what cops deal with, obviously |
10:57 | [Comment From Guest2] Well LI Bri, the uniforms are different too |
10:57 | [Comment From fruchtman] non guilty was the only reasonable verdict in this case. just wait until the two survivors start getting in trouble with the law, as one of them already has |
10:57 | [Comment From Guest] They still killed an unarmed man no matter how we look at it. The cops complaint was that they heard someone say "go get my gun", the car as a "weapon" as people say was not an immediate threat to the cops. The invisible gun was. |
10:57 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. |
10:57 | PHOTOS: Check out the trial photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. |
11:03 | [Comment From Sue] All I can say is that history is repeating itself yet once again with these cops. First Amadou Diallo and now this. It's reprehensible because the cops think that they can get away with murder. This is why the cops will get no respect from me. |
11:04 | [Comment From Patti] It was absolutely the right verdict-how can you take the word of the "witnesses" even under oath when they all are criminals? They were using their car as a weapon against the officers and they defended themselves. End of story. |
11:05 | [Comment From Sue] All I can say is that history is repeating itself yet once again with these cops. First Amadou Diallo and now this. It's reprehensible because the cops think that they can get away with murder. This is why the cops will get no respect from me. |
11:05 | [Comment From J-rock] Well Mike. One of my points was that charges were not brought against the office standing right next to Oliver, Det Carey who let off three(?) shots. It seems to me that this implicitly said that officers do indeed have a right to protect themselves. I do not think anyone (including LI Bri) can dispute that fact. I'm just saying, this case is not as clear cut as some people would make it seem. |
11:06 | [Comment From fruchtman] if someone with a gun - cop, soldier or crook - tells you to stop, you probably should stop |
11:06 | [Comment From Guest] aww we have an angry cop on this blog.. be careful he might shoot you |
11:08 | [Comment From Bri] The Judge said it himself. The prosecution did not have a case against self defense. "The prosecution has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in using deadly force, Cooperman said. |
11:08 | [Comment From LI Bri] "LI Bri - No accountability? Please tell me you aren't serious... as a voly you may get along with great with the cops that hang out there but that does NOT make you an insider or a cop. You have no clue as to what cops deal with, obviously "I know I'm not a cop. I'm just a lowly citizen who could NEVER get away w/shooting 30 bullets at someone and being found not guilty because "I thought he had a gun". Face it, this trial, like all cop trials, are a farce to make it seem like the system cares. |
11:08 | [Comment From Guest4] Everyone plays Monday Morning Quarterback. If these neighborhoods werent so violent, the Police wouldnt have to be there so much |
11:09 | [Comment From Bri] Guest - that's not necessary. You may not agree with the verdict, but police officers still deserve respect. They are the ones out there every day making sure we don't get run over by a car. |
11:09 | [Comment From Guest] yeah cause this is something we should be joking about...very mature |
11:09 | [Comment From LI Bri] "cops think that they can get away with murder." Wrong, Sue. Cops CAN AND DO get away w/murder. The judge just walked us one step closer to a Police State. |
11:09 | [Comment From J-rock] fruchtman...if someone with a gun asks to "holler at you" and he just might be a hood with whom you had an little spat you get lost in the crowd or go to a lighted area or hop in your car. You clearly have no life skills. |
11:10 | [Comment From Bri] J-Rock - By the way, not LI Bri, a different Bri from Queens. I don't think anyone thinks its a clear cut case. If you followed the case, what was reported about the case anyway. There was a whole lot that wasn't clear cut. However, it's the job of that Judge to find proof of murder. And the prosecution couldn |
11:10 | [Comment From Mike] Sue.....it's one cop, ONE cop that should have been convicted. The other officers were defending one of their own. Sue, if you were a cop and saw your partner firing her gun after she was hit by a car that purposely drove into her, you would just stand there? And you comment about you never respecting cops is just plain stupid. This is one event. Sue why don't you say those words to any of your friends that have a family member in the police, see how they react. |
11:10 | [Comment From Kathy from LI] Cops don't think they can get away with murder and your poor attitude is the very reason these tragic incidents happen. When a police officer tells you to stop and put your hands in the air, you stop and put your hands in the air. Diallo didn't put his hands in the air when he was told to, he put his hands in his pocket and reached for a dark object. Sean Bell put his car into gear and tried to run the officers over. The fact that you think that these men have no accountability in the circumstances that led to their death is astounding. Resisting arrest as a crime is not only for the protection of the officers but for the protection of the public. You can quibble all day about tactical errors, who said what, who saw what, whether or not you believe them. The fact remains that if Sean Bell and company had stopped the car and put their hands up when told to, they would be alive today. |
11:10 | [Comment From Bri] Who is joking? I have every respect in the world for NYPD. If they tell me to stop, I will stop. |
11:11 | CHILD CRIES BEFORE VERDICT: When Judge Arthur J. Cooperman started to read his decision a toddler squealed and babbled. The judge looked up and said, “I’m not going to continue until the child is removed.” A woman took the child out, and the judge read his decision. -- AD |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] ALL COPS CAN KICK ROCKS. THEIR ON A POWER A POWER TRIP AND ON ONE IS SAFE. |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] Joking comment not towards you Bri..towards the one saying watch out an angry cop here will shoot you |
11:17 | [Comment From Mike] Kathy, Li Bri is just a cop hater who most likely has a criminal record himself. It would explain a lot |
11:17 | [Comment From mr lawsuit] im looking foward to the lucrative civis suit |
11:17 | [Comment From Bri] hmmmm, tough judge. |
11:17 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Unfortunately, Sean didn't stop, when told to stop. |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] i believe the judge was bought out by NYPD.. CORRUPTION IS EVERYWHERE |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] SEE A COP RUN. BUT KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT YOUR POCKETS THEY MIGHT THINK THAT YOU HAVE A GUN. WE CAN'T DRIVE CAUSE THEY'LL SHOOT. AND WE CAN GO SHOPPING AND TAKE OUT OUR WALLETS CAUSE THEY'LL SHOOT. SOON IT WILL BE CELL PHONES. |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] I agree Kathy from LI |
11:17 | [Comment From Guest] YEA BRI YOUR SO RIGHT, I CAN CROSS SAFELY BUT I STILL HAVE TO DUCK SO COMFORTING |
11:17 | [Comment From Moe] People are guilty until proven innocent by the cops. It's a pity they shoot first and ask questions later. Especially when it's detectives dressed in plain clothes and they actually dress like thugs to blend in with the rest of the thugs on the street. . . they eventually begin to act like the same thugs that they're trying to bust. |
11:21 | EXTRA SECURITY: Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that the heightened security Friday may not be necessary through the weekend. "It depends on the circumstances as we see them. We are ready to respond to any contingency. As I said, we have the resources available for a response. I don't anticipate violence and we will be prepared to respond," he said. He added that a private study is due next month about reflexive shooting phenomenon. --SP |
11:23 | SILENCE EXPLAINED: As Sharpton and the Bell family headed to Long Island to spend quiet, reflective moments at Bell’s gravesite in Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington, the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, outside the courthouse, explained why the family’s silence in the wake of the verdict. “We had a conversation,” Daughtry told Fox News late Friday morning, “about how we should conduct ourselves once we departed from the court . . . This family was dignified. All during the trial [they showed] extraordinary courage: unprecedented courage, stamina, determination.” -John Valenti |
11:44 | A FATHER'S PAIN. Among those outside the courthouse were Nicholas Heyward Sr. whose son, Nicholas Jr., 13, was fatally shot by a housing officer in the Gowanus Houses in August 1994. The boy was holding a toy gun, which the officer mistook for a real weapon. The Brooklyn district attorney did not seek criminal charges against the officer because he had not violated Police Department rules governing the use of deadly force. "Since then, I don't know of any parent whose son was killed where there was justice done in that case," said Heyward, 50, of Boerum Hill. "Not one!" "There comes a time where you [say], 'Well, maybe we might get a little bit of justice in this case.' On what the Bell family might be feeling, he said, "I know what they're feeling. They're feeling betrayed by the system. They just hoped that some way, that God was going to find a way for them to have justice in this case. Mr. and Mrs. Bell, I really feel for them." --DER |
11:48 | BROWN DISCUSSES EVIDENCE: At a news conference, Nassau District Attorney Richard Brown said the judge had assessed all the evidence presented by both sides -- evidence that included "more than 900 exhibits" and a trial transcript that "runs close to fifty-four-hundred pages." Brown said that Judge Cooperman arrived at his verdict "fairly and conscientiously under the law." "I accept his verdict," Bbrown said, "and urge all law-abiding citizens of this city to do the same." --JV |
11:48 | [Comment From Justice] At least the justice system got this one right. It is impossible for us, as civilians, to judge the actions of a police officer in the heat of a moment. What they said or didn't say, what they did or didn't do, these were all decisions that were made in a split second. While it's tragic that a drug dealer had to lose his life. The fact remains that we are not in a position to appropriately judge the actions of these officers. |
11:55 | SCENE AT CEMETERY: The Rev. |
| 12:00 | Do you agree with the verdict? Yes ( 47% ) ( 53% ) |
12:03 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. |
12:04 | [Comment From Long Islander] Ok, the police were found not guilty thank God for them. The news media was there all morning and its still talking about the verdict at noon time. Its over and done. Now the newsmedia has to find another story for the headlines. |
12:04 | [Comment From Mike] Moe, Bell and the gang fled in a car and hit a police officer.....sorry but I don't think questions could be asked. |
12:06 | [Comment From milly melendez] I cant believe that we are in the year 2008 and their is as much segregation now as in the days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Who is responsible for killing a young man. |
12:06 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Long Islander, lot's of news to choose from, let's see, war, economy, soaring gas prices, dollar's value plunging, food prices climbing, layoffs,... |
12:08 | CORRECTION: Richard Brown is Queens District Attorney, his position was misstated previously. |
12:08 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] The media talks to people like Nicholas Heyward Sr for their reaction but they forget to put it in context. That shooting happened at a time when the city was even more dangerous. I believe Newsday was publishing daily the number of shooting deaths across the city. Innocent people were dying daily at the hands of their own community members and the community was wondering why the cops weren't able to protect them. In a situation like that, tragedies are bound to happen. Should the police no longer enforce the laws and just let Darwin sort it out? |
12:08 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Milly, Unfortunately, Sean and his friend's actions are responsible for Sean's death. If a cop tells you to stop, do yourself a favor, stop. |
12:09 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. |
12:10 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] The media talks to people like Nicholas Heyward Sr for their reaction but they forget to put it in context. That shooting happened at a time when the city was even more dangerous. I believe Newsday was publishing daily the number of shooting deaths across the city. Innocent people were dying daily at the hands of their own community members and the community was wondering why the cops weren't able to protect them. In a situation like that, tragedies are bound to happen. Should the police no longer enforce the laws and just let Darwin sort it out? |
12:12 | [Comment From Victor Mena] In the wake of the verdict for the Sean Bell case, I have come to the realization that cases such as this one and others are a formality for an obvious outcome. If all an officer has to say is that he feared for his life his reaction is always going to be justified, no matter what the surcumstances. We have to realize that maintaining order is the main objective and implimenting fear of going against order. So I truly believe that no officer will ever be found guilty of manslaughter or murder against any person in society. Society's only vindication will rest with a victory in a civil suit. Stay strong people. |
12:13 | COUNCIL MEMBER BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED: NYC Council Member Leroy Comrie (D-27th District) issued the following statement today in response to the verdict that was issued this morning regarding the Sean Bell case (abridged): “Today’s verdict should be bitterly disappointing to every New Yorker of goodwill. Justice Arthur Cooperman’s decision clearly points the finger at the lackluster case presented by the Queens’ District Attorney’s office and it is also an indictment of New York City Police Department procedure, with respect to training and management. “In the aftermath of this verdict, our City must endeavor to do better. We must insure that law enforcement training and management procedures are consistently reviewed and enforced. We must to a better job of improving police-community relations and address the mentality of confrontation and criminalization that exists among some of our police officers. We must do a better job of recruiting the best, educated law enforcement talent and that will require better salaries. It is an unequivocal truth that there are fundamental problems in our police department in which there are sub-cultures that foster disrespect and contempt for the people that these officers are pledged to protect and serve. A cowboy mentality that often gets buried under the belief that says crime is down. “In the face of this horrible tragedy, it is incumbent upon all of us to insure that such a thing never happens again. I am outraged about the circumstances of Sean Bell’s death but my outrage is tempered by faith and hope in the better nature of our humanity. I refuse to despair that we can’t be a better community and City. Today’s verdict is certainly not the end to this matter. The only thing that remains before us is whether we are willing to work hard enough and risk enough to make the changes so that Sean Bell’s death will not have been in vain. We must go beyond demanding justice and seek to implement real change. As a City, we owe that to Sean Bell and his family.” |
12:15 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Milly, in addition to stopping when told to, it might be a good idea, to refrain from mentioning guns, and attempting to run down officers with your vehicle. It's hard to see a good outcome from their behavior. |
12:16 | PHOTOS: Check out the courthouse photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. |
12:18 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] Milly, not hanging out at places known for prostitution, drugs and violence might help too. |
12:18 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Milly, in addition to stopping when told to, it might be a good idea, to refrain from mentioning guns, and attempting to run down officers with your vehicle. It's hard to see a good outcome from their behavior. |
12:22 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] Milly, not hanging out at places known for prostitution, drugs and violence might help too. |
12:23 | COMMENT DUPLICATION: Sorry about duplicating some comments, technical error in our part. |
12:23 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. |
| 12:26 | Do you think the reaction from Al Sharpton and the Bell family has been appropriate? No ( 45% ) ( 55% ) |
12:27 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] Victor, Have you ever wondered why these "incidents" do not occur in the middle of day, and with people on their way to church or work or whatever. They always seem to happen very late at night, in high crime neighborhoods, with people in dark warehouses, strip clubs, etc. Makes you wonder, huh ? |
12:32 | [Comment From John V Healy] Sean Bell bought it on himself. All he had to do was comply with the police. |
12:35 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults will not be approved. |
| 12:37 | What should happen to the acquitted cops? They should be suspended ( 4% ) ( 14% ) ( 19% ) ( 62% ) |
12:40 | PROTESTERS AFTER THE VERDICT: About two hours after verdict, handfuls of protesters still milled about outside the Queens courthouse, some carrying signs. And television news trucks with satellite antennas lined Queens Boulevard. But it was far from obvious that an event of any magnitude had occurred inside the New York State Supreme Court building in Kew Gardens. Most of the crowd, which had begun gathering outside long before the verdict was announced by Judge Arthur J. Cooperman just after 9 a.m., had dissipated. So had most of the protesters who had briefly closed down Queens Boulevard in the wake of the verdict — some yelling, screaming and taunting police officers. The were no confrontations. Mostly controlled civil disobedience. And within two hours of the verdict, even those protesters had gone. One held a sign that read: “Peace for Sean Bell.” Another held a small sign that read: “NAACP Says Guilty.” Other than that? It was hard to tell. — DM |
12:43 | STATEMENT FROM JESSE JACKSON: "I send my condolences to Sean Bell’s family. These young men were not armed. This was a massacre, this was not a shootout. An ugly pattern is developing in New York that deserves the attention of the Attorney General. "In 1999, the New York police shot Amadou Diallo 41 times and they walked away free. In 1997, Abner Louima was tortured by several police officers with a broomstick and now only one is in prison. This is a bad climate; a grave injustice has occurred. "There is something poor in that system and the U.S. Attorney General must give America the assurance that we all have equal protection under the law. This is a travesty of justice today, but it is a pattern that deserves attention." |
12:43 | [Comment From Arthur Dent] It is very tragic that a young man had to die. But, society has to stop this "grand theft auto" attitude toward police. Most cops are nice people with families and friends. I'm sure those officers just wanted to get home safely to their loved ones. Those Jamaica streets are much safer with the police there than if they were not. Peace everyone. |
12:49 | [Comment From Bri] The police have a right to protect themselves the same as any other citizen of this country. If a cop stops you, you should listen to what they say. for your own protection and theirs. They don't know if you have a gun, and you shouldn't give them reason to use theirs. |
12:49 | [Comment From Concerned] This is a travesty. No evidence presented justifies the amount of force that the officers used. Regardless of where the victims were, this was a senseless killing. To blame the victims is reprehensible. This is truly a very sad day. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families. |
12:51 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] I will start listening to these civil rights activists like Jackson and Sharpton when they express at least this much outrage over the deaths of Stewart, Nemorin, Andrews and the other officers that have given their lives in the line of duty. Where is the call for changes then? Where is the rhetoric that this is no longer acceptable then? Where are the press releases that say the community has to make sure this never happens again? |
12:51 | [Comment From Bri] Concerned: If, God forbide, you ever found yourself in a situation where your life was at risk, and you had to use "the amount of force that the officers used" to protect yourself. Would you agree then that a jury (or judge if you waive your right to a jury) should find you guilty of manslaughter when you have the right to protect yourself? |
12:56 | You can read the judge's decision here |
12:57 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults will not be approved. |
12:58 | [Comment From Bri] Newsday: How'd you get the transcript so fast? Thanks |
1:01 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
1:02 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. |
1:06 | NOT A SINGLE PROTESTER IN JAMAICA PRECINCT: Police have barricaded and placed officers at both the 168th Street and 169th Street entrances to the 103rd precinct. By midday, police guarding the barricades said they had yet to see a single protester. -DER |
1:10 | [Comment From Bri] I can't believe people are still viewing what happened as a racial crime. "If you are white, you are right. If you are black, stay back." TWO of the officers on trial were black. |
1:12 | VIDEOS: We also have a fairly good amount of videos up. You can check them out here. |
1:12 | [Comment From Guest] I don't know why the verdict is a suprise..cops always get away with anything they do. I don't think it was a racial crime...I just think all the cops involved reacted like idiots insttead of the way they were trained...and they deserved to pay for it |
1:13 | [Comment From Guest] They basically testified that they got scared and started shooting...well that isn't an excuse. Cops are supposedly trained to react rationally under highly stressful situations, not freak out shoot first and ask questions later. Same thing as the Amadou Diallo shooting. |
1:16 | [Comment From Guest] I think this sends a message to ALL New Yorkers....watch out how you act around cops or they might just shoot you first and ask questions later...and they'll ALWAYS get away with it |
1:17 | REMINDER OF OTHER SHOOTINGS. Leading up to Friday's verdict, New York City officials, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, downplayed the potential for demonstrations and conflicts with police if the officers were acquitted. The case harkened bad memories of other notorious NYPD shootings, foremost among them the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo — an African immigrant gunned down in a hail of 41 bullets by police who mistook his wallet for a gun. The acquittal also created a storm of protest, with hundreds arrested after taking to the streets in demonstration. And there had been violent reactions to acquittals in other notorious cases around the nation in previous decades: the controversial Arthur McDuffie case in Miami, prosecuted by future U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, sparked the infamous Overtown riots in 1979; the Rodney King verdict led to rioting in Los Angeles. But Bloomberg said that while the NYPD and other agencies would be prepared to handle potential demonstrations, he believed there would be no violence in New York. So far, he's right. -JV |
1:18 | SOLEMN PRAYERS AT GRAVE. At Nassau Knolls Cemetery, in Port Washington, mourners formed a circle around Sean Bell’s grave and prayed, said several city police officers who attended the impromptu ceremony. “We’re obviously pretty upset with the verdict,” said Eric Josey, a retired officer and director of defense and legal affairs for 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. “Right now, obviously, everybody’s really devastated by a complete acquittal.” He said the short ritual at the gravesite paid respects to Bell. We were “praying with the family, praying with Sean Bell, a circle,” Josey said. “Praying for calm and things of that nature, but also unification, about what we're going to do in the future.” Another officer, Carlton Berkley, said the ceremony was filled with emotion. “They weren’t expecting it [an acquittal] and the family did break down a little bit at the site. They’re shaken very much.” Berkley, a retired detective, added that the officers who shot at Bell and his friends were out of line, and that they violated proper procedures. “This verdict was wrong and no one wins here,” Berkley said. “No one ever wins because even if the verdict came out a different way it’s not going to bring Sean back.” - ZD |
1:18 | [Comment From Bri] They also have the right to protect themselves. Police are still human, same human reactions, same American rights. |
1:18 | [Comment From Bri] Yes, watch how you act around cops. Don't threaten a gun if you don't have one. Don't reach into your pocket, if they say hands up. |
1:19 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. |
| 1:21 | Today we started a new live-blogging format, that allows greater user interactivity. Did you like the experience? No ( 22% ) ( 78% ) |
1:22 | POLL QUESTION: Folks, this is a new technology that we took for a ride today, so we're asking everybody in the liveblog to give us feedback via the poll or the comments. It is surely appreciated. |
1:22 | [Comment From Guest] They should all have been drug and alcohol screened immediately after the shooting |
1:23 | [Comment From Guest] The sting operation in which this shooting occurred was run like they were cowboys. There needs to be better command and supervision during these operations. And officers involved in shootings should be immediately tox screened. |
1:24 | [Comment From Bri] Newsday: I think this new technology you guys have going is great. I think you should keep it. |
1:26 | [Comment From Guest] even the cops responding to the shooting didn't know the undercover officers were cops because they were not informed of the operation going on. |
1:26 | [Comment From Bri] Guest- How do you know they weren't tested after the fact? |
1:29 | [Comment From Guest] 50 shots?!? Isnt that an intent to kill? |
1:29 | [Comment From Lee] Hence the word UNDERCOVER... |
1:29 | [Comment From Bri] In any circumstance, especially those where someone is hurt in a police altercation. The officers are investigated and tested the same as anyone else suspected of a crime. They have to justify their actions in these circumstances the moment it happens. Now, if you were in that Precinct that night and they weren't tested or investigated, you should let their commanding officer know. |
1:41 | [Comment From Bri] One person did not fire 50 shots! 50 shots was the TOTAL |
1:41 | [Comment From Bri] It doesn't matter how many shots were fired (although excessive) you have to prove intent to kill. They weren't intending to kill, they were intending to defend themselves. |
1:41 | [Comment From Guest] The police officers were found not guilty by the judge but their lives are ruined. They were doing their job. What about the cops that get shot for no apparent reason. |
1:41 | [Comment From Guest] An officer trained to discharge a fire arm should be just as effective with 2 shots. 50 is quite excessive. |
1:42 | [Comment From NYPD] Justice has been served |
1:42 | [Comment From Guest] I have sent two comments in favor the police officers and neither of them have made the blog. |
1:42 | [Comment From Guest] What a joke! The cops that responded didn't know that the undercover officers were cops, so someone else dies |
1:42 | [Comment From viewer] as always newsday is one sided. Two blogs about the police and their life after this and it doesnt reach the blog page |
1:43 | [Comment From Guest] Justice has not been served!!!!!! |
1:43 | [Comment From Guest] No one said 50 wasn't excessive. However, unless you're a trained officer, who WAS there that night. All one can go on is the facts that were presented. Hence, what the judge did. |
1:45 | A PLEA FOR CALM. Politicians echoed Mayor Michael Bloomberg's call for calm. "What happened a year and a half ago was a tragedy, and what we need to do now as a city is peacefully move on and really honor the memory of Sean Bell by doing everything we can to make sure something like this never happens again," Council Speaker Christine Quinn said. Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, who said he was surprised and disappointed by the verdict, said he would be pushing the federal Justice Department to investigate "misconduct" by the police and whether the shooting victims' civil rights had been violated. "They were a little more zealous than necessary," Smith said, referring to the officers. Smith said he was in the courtroom when the judge read his verdict. --MC |
1:45 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. |
1:48 | [Comment From bones] Some credit has to be given to the judge here. He had to have known that the reaction would be negative if non guilty. With all the rallies and AL sharpton present he made the decision based on facts not being pressured by outside influence |
1:48 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] I see a lot of people telling the police how to do their jobs but I doubt those people would actually be willing to take the job for 25k. If you think you think it is so easy, take the job and make a difference, we have until eternity to sit here and debate a decision that these officers were forced to make in a split second. |
1:52 | MAYOR REACHES OUT TO WIDOW. Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- who a spokesman said found out the verdict when he was passed a note during a senior staff meeting and later reached out to Bell's widow, the Rev. Al Sharpton and former Mayor David Dinkins -- said at a news conference in Jamaica that Justice Cooperman's verdict "is what it is" and declined to give a personal opinion of it beyond previous comments he made in the aftermath of the shooting. "I, as a layman, thought that there were too many shots fired and I don't know whether, if I were a police officer, what I would have done. It's easy to second guess," he said Friday. He added that federal prosecutors asked the city to postpone investigating internal discipline until the federal probe is complete. --MC |
1:52 | [Comment From Bri] I second that Kathy. |
1:52 | [Comment From MD] Justice has been served....they lied on the stand and the judge saw right thru it. My heart goes out to the Bell family, they have lost a son. |
1:53 | [Comment From Lee] I third that Kathy...It is difficult to be a cop in NYC |
1:55 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
1:55 | [Comment From Guest] the officers are to blame they are not dead. They acted without thinking and as someone that up holds the law you're to think things through. Thats their job to think fast in events like that. And they failed to do so. |
2:00 | [Comment From Bri] Yes, and thinking fast. if someone was endangering my life, I would protect myself. |
2:00 | [Comment From Lee] They are not to blame. They reacted like anyone would...to protect themselves. |
2:01 | [Comment From g&sfruchtman] exactly...how would you have responded? |
2:01 | [Comment From Bri] So those who are not dead are not guilty??? Those who break into your house, or attack you on the street who get killed by self defense of the victim. The victim is to blame for defending themselves? Now that is a sick world that i wouldn't want to live in. Not being able to defend myself from the criminals who try to harm me. |
2:02 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
2:03 | 'IT'S A TRAGEDY.' Michael Palladino, president of New York City's Detectives Endowment Association, emphasized that each day detectives go to work "they don't want to be injured and they don't want to hurt anybody else." "It was a tragedy, like I said from the beginning, but it was not criminal," Palladino said Friday at an afternoon news conference. "This incident has changed our lives forever. We're not gloating over this at all. But I can tell you we're relieved by the verdict." -SC |
2:04 | [Comment From g&sfruchtman] well, there are still two others in that car that are not dead. i bet they have a guilty conscience |
2:06 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] Actually, Guest, it is everyone's duty to uphold the law, not just the police officers. |
2:06 | [Comment From Lee] Agreed...and the judge said that their testamonies weren't sound proof...there were too many holes and contradictions. The NYPD told it like it was...never a question in their story according to the judge |
2:06 | [Comment From Guest] Will these cops be protected? There is alot of angry people out there |
2:10 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. Check out the courthouse photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. We also have a fairly good amount of videos up. You can check them out here. |
2:19 | [Comment From justice] are there any rallies for justice |
2:19 | [Comment From MD] All the testimony was tailored for there civil trial. The Judge was able to see this clear attempt at the "Pot of Gold". Not truth. All you had to do was listen to his cohorts to know something was unsavory from the begining. I am happy the Judge saw the truth and did not charge these officers. What May I ask does the KKK have to do with this????.... |
2:19 | SHARPTON VOWS PROTESTS. In Harlem Friday afternoon, the Rev. Al Sharpton called the verdict "an abortion of justice" and promised nonviolent demonstrations in response. Sharpton said the "freedom bigades" would demonstrate "on Wall Street, the judge's house or One Police Plaza." "We will have to show that New York will not take this abortion of justice laying down," Sharpton said. |
2:19 | [Comment From Me] Justice was served |
2:22 | [Comment From Guest] Md i disagree wit you. These cops should be punished for killing an unarmed man. |
2:26 | [Comment From Me] It went to trial...justice was served...the end. |
2:26 | [Comment From guest from LI] Why didn't sean question why these cops were tailing him rather them scramble to get out of there? |
2:27 | [Comment From Steven] I'm very happy that the police officers were aquitted. I'm 1/2 black and 1/2 white and I believe the police officers involved acted accordingly. This was not a race case, this was about a man, ramming a van and trying to evade police while also possibly being armed with 1 or multiple guns. I guess its just Ironic that every guy in that car has been arrested in the past for gun related charges... |
| 2:28 | [Be Right Back Countdown] | 20 minutes |
2:28 | [Comment From Me] Very true Steven...very good post! |
2:29 | [Comment From MD] The judge agrees with me...that whats important. These officers did not just go out and shoot a random individual for no reason. They were in fear for there lives and acted. But to want to imprison 3 men, with the testimony of his buddies would have been a bigger tragedy. Well said Steven. |
2:48 | [Comment From Me] Very true Steven...very good post! |
2:48 | [Comment From Steven] I'm very happy that the police officers were aquitted. I'm 1/2 black and 1/2 white and I believe the police officers involved acted accordingly. This was not a race case, this was about a man, ramming a van and trying to evade police while also possibly being armed with 1 or multiple guns. I guess its just Ironic that every guy in that car has been arrested in the past for gun related charges... |
2:48 | [Comment From Long Islander] Great! that's all we need in New York is a protestrally from Sharpton. Hope it pours rain on him. |
2:49 | [Comment From MD] The judge agrees with me...that whats important. These officers did not just go out and shoot a random individual for no reason. They were in fear for there lives and acted. But to want to imprison 3 men, with the testimony of his buddies would have been a bigger tragedy. Well said Steven. |
2:49 | [Comment From Reader] Well Put Steve, It does disturb me that the one Detective reloaded and emptied another clip into a car not firing at him |
2:49 | [Comment From Mike H] I just heard on the news that Al Sharpton was at very few of the court sessions. I guess without the jury, the trial wasn't going to be the media circus he was expecting |
2:49 | [Comment From guest from LI] They were unarmed, that being said the vehicle could be considered a weapon |
2:51 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. Check out the courthouse photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. We also have a fairly good amount of videos up. You can check them out here. |
2:52 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
2:53 | JUSTICE DEPT. STATEMENT. A statement from the Justice Department, released after the verdict in the Sean Bell case: The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Division, announced today that in light of the acquittals of three New York City police officers in State Supreme Court in Queens, New York, they will conduct an independent review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the Nov. 25, 2006, shooting of Sean Bell and two others that resulted in the death of Mr. Bell. The Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office have been monitoring the state’s prosecution of this case and, following the review of all the evidence, will take appropriate action if the evidence indicates a prosecutable violation of federal criminal civil rights statutes. The Department can make no further comment on this case at this time. -SC |
2:54 | VIGIL THIS AFTERNOON: Apparently there will be a prayer vigil in front of the Queens County Courthouse at 5:30 p.m. Details to follow |
2:58 | ABOUT COMMENTS: We approved a couple of comments that should not have been approved. The down side of this tool is that once live, it cannot be deleted. So we apologize for the mistake |
2:58 | [Comment From Me] Mr Moderator..............You published a comment from Good Grief about "white people" that I didnt think was very respectful. |
2:58 | [Comment From Me] thank you |
3:01 | [Comment From Me] This board is much better now that there is a moderator....you dont get the horrible hateful comments anymore. Maybe people can now talk things out without the hate and racila remarks like there used to be in every single discussion. Good work Newsday! :) |
3:02 | [Comment From Me] racial* |
3:03 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
3:06 | RECAP FOR THE CROWD OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE: Within an hour, the crowd of about 200 people had settled down and dispersed. Despite a few scuffles between members of the throng and police officers, no arrests were made. - AP |
3:08 | [Comment From LI Bri] Oliver should have been found guilty. Fearing for your life and trying to defend yourself is one thing, but 30+ bullets? Aren't cops supposed to fire 2 shots and then reassess the situation? When a cop can unload 30 rounds into an unarmed man and NOT be held accountable, we are ALL in trouble. Totally wrong verdict. |
3:09 | QUESTION FOR COMMENTERS: Were any of you surprised by the verdict or the reaction? If so, what were you expecting? |
3:12 | [Comment From Me] Maybe because they werent hit 30 times? Im not siure LI Bri. |
3:13 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] LI Bri, the rule you refer to is 3 shots and reassess and it is no where in the patrol guide or any of the training. And, if there were such a rule, it would be a departmental rule. They were not assessing departmental rules in this trial, they were assessing the laws of the state of New York. |
3:13 | [Comment From Me] I didnt expect for the policement o be aquitted. I though that there would be charges of some sort like reckless endangerment maybe? |
3:13 | [Comment From LI Bri] I expected the CORRECT verdict: Oliver guilty, others not guilty. The others were in the same situation as Oliver, but they only fired off a few rounds. Oliver went nuts. |
3:13 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] LI Bri - you say that Oliver should be convicted on the fact that he fired 30 bullets but it only actually takes one bullet to kill a man. So if Oliver had only fired one bullet, would you be supporting this verdict? |
3:16 | [Comment From Bea] Okay LI Bri, Sean Bell's car hits Oliver forcing him into a parked car. But Oliver should hold his place. The 30 shots did not all hit Bell. As far as the verdict, I am shocked! I expected the Court to fold under community pressure. Sure glad they didn't |
3:16 | [Comment From LI Bri] Kathy, you say "the rule you refer to is 3 shots and reassess" but then you say there is no rule. Is it a rule or not? |
3:16 | [Comment From LI Bri] "So if Oliver had only fired one bullet, would you be supporting this verdict?" ABSOLUTELY. My beef is not the officers were defending themselves or of Bell was a nice boy or not, but rather w/Oliver COMPLETELY losing control of the situation. |
3:17 | [Comment From Guest] oliver was the biggest criminal of them all |
3:17 | [Comment From me] losing control or trying to gain control? |
3:17 | COMMENT MODERATION: Again, we will publish all comments as long as they are fair, respectful and pertinent to the verdict. Insults, generalities, racial remarks and off-topic comments will not be approved. |
3:19 | [Comment From Pat] I was not surprised by the verdict based on the newspaper reports of the testimony and the fact that it was a bench trial. This appears to be a huge tragedy - where miscommunications, confusion, and split-second reactions from both sides converged to cause the tragic death of Sean Bell. Under those circumstances, there is no way any of these cops could be convicted. |
3:20 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] After the shooting, Kelly made up this rule and put it over the media like it was fact. The media all glommed onto it without actually checking if there were, in fact, a real rule. It is not a rule, but I believe I could go back to press releases where Kelly claims it is a rule. Hence your confusion. |
3:21 | [Comment From LI Bri] "Okay LI Bri, Sean Bell's car hits Oliver forcing him into a parked car. But Oliver should hold his place. " Hit, bumped, brushed, what-ever. Couldn't Oliver just move out of the way? No? Then he had the right to fire, but not like a lunatic. Again, other officers were at the same incident and only fired a few times. |
3:23 | Ladies and gentlemen, we're almost ready to wrap this up. Thanks to everyone for their insightful and respectful input. Consider yourselves pioneers of a new liveblogging technology and please check back Newsday.com for updates. If you have any comments or thoughts on the technology used or the moderator, you can reach us at web@newsday.com. Again, thanks. |
3:24 | [Comment From LI Bri] What-ever Kathy. You're missing the point. The other officers seemed in control of their actions. Oliver was acting like he was a different scene. |
3:25 | RECAP: Three NYPD officers have been acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed man. Check out the latest here. Also, check out Rocco Parascandola's story on what will happen to the cops now. Click here And Tony DeStefano writes about the decision and the judge. Read it here. You can also read Carl MacGowan's story from Liverpool street in Jamaica here. Check out the courthouse photos here. Good shots of reaction from the crowd. We also have a fairly good amount of videos up. You can check them out here. |
3:26 | [Comment From Kathy in LI] No, I've heard your point. Your point is that if the officers fired 3 bullets a piece and Sean Bell was still dead, that is ok. But because Oliver fired 30, it is not ok. But I doubt you know how long it actually takes to get 30 rounds off on a 9mm semi-automatic. It's a matter of seconds even with reloading. |
3:28 | [Comment From LI Bri] Kathy, It also only takes a second or so to stop and reassess. The other officers had time and did it. |
3:28 | Ladies and gentlemen, we're done. Thanks to everyone for their insightful and respectful input. Consider yourselves pioneers of a new liveblogging technology and please check back Newsday.com for updates. If you have any comments or thoughts on the technology used or the moderator, you can reach us at web@newsday.com. Again, thanks. |
3:28 | Thank you for reading today. Thousands of users. Millions of readers. Free and simple to use. Try CoveritLive today. |
