Today is an interesting day in NYC - NYPD detectives are on trial for killing a 23 year old black man on the morning of his wedding. This is a day many thought would never come, as with other past cases where the NYPD has used deadly force on black men without proper cause, many suspected this case would be sent to Albany where citizens who actually have good relations with police would find these officers not guilty. Well on step in the right direction today as these individuals face a trial by judge in Queens County court, the county where the murder took place. The outcome of this trial is unknown, however, the simple fact that three of these officers who fired 50 bullets on an unarmed group of me will actually have a trial is a step towards justice! Lets just hope this judge gives a fair trial and isnt in the pocket of the NYPD!
See the NY1 article below for more details -
Trial Begins For Police Officers Charged In Sean Bell Shooting
February 25, 2008
The highly anticipated trial of three NYPD detectives charged in the November 2006 Sean Bell shooting began this morning in Queens. The Reverend Al Sharpton led a contingent of Bell supporters into the court, including Bell's family and his fiancée Nicole Paultre-Bell, who is scheduled as the first witness. The group held a prayer vigil outside the courthouse before going inside. The three officers were accompanied by Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch and Detectives Endowment Association head Michael Palladino. They were heckled by some in the crowd as they came to court this morning. Emotions are running high on both sides. "Every time that we tell people that enough is enough, and if we forecast that black people are not going to take this anymore, that we're going to have to protect ourselves if the system doesn't protect us, they make it seem like we're the bad guys. I'm not shooting nobody 50 times,” said Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron. "These officers were acting in good faith. And I still believe that those people who act in good faith, bad things do not happen to them,” said Palladino. “But nevertheless here we are, what I would call a political indictment, and we are fighting for our lives here.” Bell, 23, was killed outside Club Kalua in Jamaica, Queens, in the early-morning hours of November 25, 2006 in a hail of 50 bullets fired by undercover police officer. He was to have been married later that day. Detectives Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora – who squeezed off the bulk of the shots fired that night – are charged with manslaughter and could face up to 25 years in prison. Detective Marc Cooper is charged with reckless endangerment. The three have opted for a judge to decide their fate, rather than a jury. The detectives have said they opened fire because they thought the men had a gun, though no weapon was ever found. A former U.S. attorney not involved in the case says it will be up to the officers to prove they felt they were in danger, justifying the use of deadly force. "The key here is to try and recreate that situation, through their own testimony or the testimony of others and physical evidence – to try and show their actions were reasonable,” said attorney Alan Vinegrad. Bell's supporters also held a gathering in Queens yesterday.
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