Anger Over Cops' Acquittal In Groom Slay

Emotions Run High After 3 Detectives Cleared Of Charges In 50-Shot Killing Of Unarmed Man

(CBS/AP)  Three detectives were acquitted Friday in the 50-shot killing of an unarmed groom-to-be on his wedding day, a case that put the NYPD at the center of another dispute involving allegations of excessive firepower.

Scores of police officers surrounded the courthouse to guard against potential chaos, and as news of the verdict spread, many in the crowd began weeping. Others were enraged, swearing and screaming "KKK!"

"Murderers! Murderers!" many in the crowd shouted as the officers exited the building, reports WCBS-2 in New York. Some of the spectators jostled with police outside the court house.

Inside the courtroom, spectators gasped. Sean Bell's fiancee immediately walked out of the room; his mother cried.

Bell, a 23-year-old black man, was killed in a hail of gunfire outside a seedy strip club in Queens on Nov. 25, 2006 as he was leaving his bachelor party with two friends. The case ignited the emotions of people across the city and led to widespread protests among those who felt the officers used unnecessary force.

Officers Michael Oliver, 36, and Gescard Isnora, 29, stood trial for manslaughter while Officer Marc Cooper, 40, was charged with reckless endangerment. Two other shooters weren't charged. Oliver squeezed off 31 shots; Isnora fired 11 rounds; and Cooper shot four times.

The case brought back painful memories of other NYPD shootings, such as the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo - an African immigrant who was gunned down in a hail of 41 bullets by police officers who mistook his wallet for a gun. The acquittal of the officers in that case created a storm of protest, with hundreds arrested after taking to the streets in demonstration.

Though emotions ran high, there were no immediate problems outside the courthouse Friday, where many wore buttons with Bell's picture or held signs saying "Justice for Sean Bell." Some people approached police after the verdict was read, but they were held back and the jostling died down quickly.

William Hardgraves, 48, an electrician from Harlem, brought his 12-year-old son and 23-year-old daughter to hear the verdict. "I hoped it would be different this time. They shot him 50 times," Hardgraves said. "But of course, it wasn't."

The officers, complaining that pretrial publicity had unfairly painted them as cold-blooded killers, opted to have the judge decide the case rather than a jury.

The judge, Justice Arthur Cooperman, indicated when he delivered the verdict that the officers' version of events was more credible than the victims' version. "The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in firing, he said.

Hours later, the officers appeared at a news conference.

"I'd like to say sorry to the Bell family for the tragedy," Cooper said, thanking God, his lawyers and the police officers who supported him.

The U.S. attorney's office said after the verdict that it had been monitoring the state's prosecution and would conduct an independent review of the case. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who represents Bell's family, called for a federal investigation.

"This verdict is one round down, but the fight is far from over," Sharpton said on his radio show. "What we saw in court today was not a miscarriage of justice. Justice didn't miscarry. This was an abortion of justice."

Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives Endowment Association, responded angrily to Sharpton's suggestion that the verdicts were unfair.

"That's despicable for him to say that because we have the greatest criminal justice system on earth," he said.

The nearly two-month trial was marked by deeply divergent accounts of the night.

The defense painted the victims as drunken thugs who the officers believed were armed and dangerous. Prosecutors sought to convince the judge that the victims had been minding their own business, and that the officers were inept, trigger-happy aggressors.

Both sides were consistent on one point: The utter chaos surrounding the last moments of Bell's life.

"It happened so quick," Isnora said in grand jury testimony. "It was like the last thing I ever wanted to do."

Bell's companions - Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman - offered dramatic testimony. Both were wounded in the shooting; Guzman still has four bullets lodged in his body.

Referring to Isnora, Guzman said, "This dude is shooting like he's crazy, like he's out of his mind."

The victims and shooters were set on a fateful collision course by a pair of innocuous decisions: Bell's to have a last-minute bachelor party at Kalua Cabaret, and the undercover detectives' to investigate reports of prostitution at the club.

As the club closed around 4 a.m., Sanchez and Isnora claimed they overheard Bell and his friends first flirt with women, then taunt a stranger who responded by putting his right hand in his pocket as if he had a gun. Guzman, they testified, said, "Yo, go get my gun" - something Bell's friends denied.

Isnora said he decided to arm himself, call for backup - "It's getting hot," he told his supervisor - and tail Bell, Guzman and Benefield as they went around the corner and got into Bell's car. He claimed that after warning the men to halt, Bell pulled away, bumped him and rammed an unmarked police van that converged on the scene with Oliver at the wheel. The detective also alleged that Guzman made a sudden move as if he were reaching for a gun.

Guzman said Isnora "appeared out of nowhere" with a gun drawn and shot him in the shoulder - the first of 16 shots to enter his body.

"That's all there was - gunfire," he said. "There wasn't nothing else."

With tires screeching, glass breaking and bullets flying, the officers claimed that they believed they were the ones under fire. Oliver responded by emptying his semiautomatic pistol, reloading, and emptying it again, as the supervisor sought cover.

The truth emerged when the smoke cleared: There was no weapon inside Bell's blood-splattered car.

[truthspeake2]

Hey, cops don''t commit crimes right...I''d bet they will be found innocent.

[prinzowhales]

If you want to arrest some drunken thugs, go to the 19th precinct and arrest anyone in a NYPD uniform. The only thing these gangsters know how to do is harrass and terrorize anyone trying to excercise their Constitutional rights and protest the thugs who run this city and nation....Punks with guns...the Capitalist gangsters'' best friends.

[alexma50085]

If I was the family I would have told Rev. Sharpton to stay out of it. That man brings nothing good to any situation.

[bigot3]

Bad call by the police in very uncertain circumstances. If the cops are speaking truthfully, it was a tragic miss calculation, but their actions could well be considered reasonable. If it had been you confronting less than cooperative suspects at that hour of the morning, maybe you would have done the same thing...maybe not. Let the Judge decide, but be prepared for an acquital. For myself, if a cop tells me to "halt" or "come here", then I do it. For that moment in time, you belong to him. If you have nothing to hide then it should turn out okay. I really belive that under all the attitude and swagger, cops want to enforce the law. New York cops aren''t know for their courtesy. In 1962 I was a private in my Army uniform and asked a street cop where the "Port Authority" was. I thought the man was going to beat me with his nightstick. His reaction to a country boy''s question was, basically, "go find the bus station by yourself, I ain''t no information booth".

[lily1972]

is that really a shock to everyone!!!!!!

[louiville2]

The Black KKK riding in on a Black horse to make sure that justice is done right[sic]. If the hate crimes bill had been passed Al Sharton would be in jail right now.

[killtheliars]

the fact that an unarmed person was shot multiple times means a crime was committed no matter what the corrupt legal system says. The only reason these guys got away with this is because money is considered more important then a person. If they were found guilty that would eventually lead to the victims family recieving larger financial compensation.

[gheemaster38]

Did anyone look at the wedding picture? Bell is not even smiling in his Wedding picture!!?? It looks to me like another angry black man with an attitude
Posted by pzabbie at 09:03 AM : Apr 25, 2008

That much info from a wedding picture, huh? IF the victim had been a "white male" with the same snarl on his wedding picture would you feel the same way?

[maedean]

In America as long as you are a cop you can shoot someone down in cold blood and get away with it!! Another fine job from our legal system..

[lynne_m1]

I wonder who payed off the judge!!! 50 times JC

[wdrussell1]

Don''t those cops know that they could make more money murdering people for Blackwater?

[winkey08]

49 SHOTS TO MANY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rlenham-2009]

Wow, do I detect some disagreement with the verdict on the part of CBS News?

[aeasus]

Where was the probable cause to detain the victims? NOONE saw a gun. At 4 am being asked to hault by plain closed people for no reason...I would probably flee also. Why does it take over 50 bullets to subdue the driver? The other 2 people in the car never made aggressive actions. I''m not saying the verdict was wrong..but to say the officers over reacted is a big under statement!

[bestmom31]

You will be hearing and seeing much more of this sort of thing. Police can do whatever they want. This doesn''t suprize me and what is coming won''t either. Get real. We are living in a "Police State" and people don''t realize it. Just another thing our loyal Government has done to us while we were sleeping. Hold on tight , because this is just the tip of the iceburg. BS, I know, but what can you do when your freedoms have been stolen away while you were sleeping?

[jn122736]

%u201C%u201DFor myself, if a cop tells me to "halt" or "come here", then I do it. For that moment in time, you belong to him.%u201D%u201D
Posted by Bigot3 at 08:50 AM : Apr 25, 2008.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To me, that is the most repulsive statement any true American can utter, but it is indicative of the prevalent %u201C%u201Ddefeatist%u201D%u201D attitude that too many Americans today are inflicted with.

That is the same as saying %u201C%u201Cyes, your Majesty%u201D%u201D, or %u201C%u201Dyes, Your Highness%u201D%u201D

I am a proud American and I don%u2019t %u201Cbelong%u201D to anyone. Not for one second.

You may take my life but you CANNOT take away my freedom. That is exactly what Patrick Henry meant over two centuries ago, when he said: %u201C%u201Dgive me liberty, or give me death%u201D%u201D

I think that a trial by Jury should have been mandatory in this case.

Judge%u2019s are career law-enforcement officers and are not above prejudice.
But even more serious than that is the fact that if the judge should rule against the cops he/she will face career-damaging or even career-ending consequences.

That is why police officers seldom, if ever, are held responsible, for even the most obvious criminal acts, when being judged/investigated by law-enforcement officers or city officials

[demslie]

Don''''''''t those cops know that they could make more money murdering people for Blackwater?
Posted by WDRussell1 at 09:42 AM : Apr 25, 2008

Nice twist, a little warped.

Posted by zoe2006

Not warped, just a Self Absorbed Democrat turning any story back to what they can spit hate about.

[armydog2]

This is pathetic, and a crime goes unpunished.

[demslie]

These cops are walking dead on the NY streets. This is not the first case of NY cops being "over reaching" or "heavy handed."

Posted by zoe2006

Of course no Democrat was there to see the evidence presented at trial. But Democrats don''t need evidence, just Hate. When our troops go into combat, if a terrorist claims, "innocent people were killed by the evil Americans", Democrats will be right there to Denouce the troops, without knowing the evidence, just like they do here.

[winkey08]

Did any one of the officers SEE a gun at all. when there are that many officers there, you would have thought at least one of them would have tried to find out, IF THERE WAS IN FACT THERE WAS A GUN

[lilelm]

It matters not if they are black, green, yellow or white, the truth is that the cops in this entire country are out of control and under this Nazi-like regime.
Look at all the taser incidents, not to mention the deaths caused by them.
Our taxpayer financed so called ''protection'' force are out of control.

[usbrit-2009]

"Oliver squeezed off 31 shots; Isnora fired 11 rounds; and Cooper shot four times." Yo gun guys - are 30+ shot magazines normal police issue? If not doesn''t this mean that at least one of the cops stopped shooting, reloaded and started again? If that''s so, that one cop should have been found gulty at least.

[spredbury]

Just another case of murder by cop. It seems everyday I see more and more cases of where some macho/rambo cop kills another American citizen in the name of justice and gets away with it. What is my country coming to. I am ashamed to be an American.

[usbrit-2009]

Posted by demslie - just keep you sneering hatred to yourself please.

I bet the jury was trying to figure out how to convict one of them and acquit two of them.

Posted by jamesm12341

Read the story - no jury, just one judge.

[usbrit-2009]

So you want to convict the white cop and let the other two off? Is that right?

Posted by guyfrompa45

Actually I wrote that last post before I matched names and faces.

[blazercoach1]

The level of "presumed guilty" on this opinion board is alarming. That alone makes me proud of the American SYSTEM and skepticall about AMERICANS. I read this article looking for a defense...looking for information about WHY the officers acted the way they did. Instead, this article provided only fodder for the prosecution. Completely unbalanced.

[bdrlnt4rl]

there is no such thing as ''being in the wrong place at the wrong time'' when it come to ANY illegal activities, drugs, alcohol, prostotution, or even taunting the police.

if one does not wish to find trouble then one must be away from all sorts of possible trouble in order to keep themselves out of jail, or in this case alive. poor judgement on this young man on where he choose to spend his time.

[magoo2u1]

"The level of "presumed guilty" on this opinion board is alarming"
The man was unarmed and the cops claimed he had a gun. They were guilty. period.

[corey2444]

It matters not if they are black, green, yellow or white, the truth is that the cops in this entire country are out of control and under this Nazi-like regime.
Look at all the taser incidents, not to mention the deaths caused by them.
Our taxpayer financed so called ''''protection'''' force are out of control

Paint them with one broad stroke of a brush.

What angers me most are the stories of illegal aliens that are repeat offenders, comitting murders, before they are finaly out of harms way of the public.

[dhill005]

I was not pleased with the Sean Bell verdict! However,I do agree with his parents when they sad " no matter what the outcome of the verdict is, please remain calm". You know God is our most high judge. Vengence, belongs to him alone. We cannot pay back those police officer''s. Leave it all in God''s hands. In time all wounds will heal itself. Keep petitioning God in your prayers for justice, and move on with your life.

[winkey08]

SO BEING AT A PARTY IS THE WRONG PLACE

there is no such thing as ''''being in the wrong place at the wrong time'''' when it come to ANY illegal activities, drugs, alcohol, prostotution, or even taunting the police.

if one does not wish to find trouble then one must be away from all sorts of possible trouble in order to keep themselves out of jail, or in this case alive. poor judgement on this young man on where he choose to spend his time.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by bdrlnt4rl

[jazzphowee]

My immediate comment is shock and dismay. For the record I am white. Beyond the verdict, this reporter named Jackie (I think), on CBS local, out of control, NOT the crowd. SHE needs to be reprimanded and perhaps prevented from ever covering an event or story like this. She has repeatedly used the "V" word, i.e., violence where there was none. There is no excuse, she is overreacting and is completely inappropriate and not suited for her assignment. CBS news should be completely embarrassed. There are plenty of capable reporters out there. I am completely offended at her reporting. I could imagine someone at home watching this live news and getting stirred up and her reactions conjuring up their racist%u2019s fears. Incredible. CBS, please tread lightly with dignity like the Bell family has.

[magoo2u1]

"poor judgement on this young man on where he choose to spend his time."

The poor judgement was on the cops. They staked out the wrong place. All they got for their effort was a dead , unarmed man. A corpse with no drugs, no gun, no criminal record. The corpse had no idea the cops were running an undercover operation. How could he?
NO ONE SHOULD DIE FOR ANY CRIME THEY DID NOT COMMIT. What the *** is wrong with you?

[lynne_m1]

50 times makes me sick and they have not been allowed to have a judge decide the verdict.it should have been a jusy...I say guilty as f*** and rot in h***, I would not want to be in the cops or the judges shoes after today for anything!

[newmark3]

Man might have set them free but GOD SEES ALL. They will pay. Vegeance is mine saith the Lord I shall repay. This was an evil act I don''t care what race those suppose to be officer''s who are suppose to serve the people with honesty and dignity. There was no dignity or honor for this young man who was MURDERERD. Anyone who doesn''t agree, put your love one in this young man place, I bet you feeling will change.

[gheemaster38]

For myself, if a cop tells me to "halt" or "come here", then I do it. For that moment in time, you belong to him. If you have nothing to hide then it should turn out okay. I really belive that under all the attitude and swagger, cops want to enforce the law
Posted by Bigot3

Most strip clubs are in dark crime ridden areas (Even the cops said they were investigating prostitution). Now, think about this and I dont mean it in a racist way-but if 2 blackmen & one hispanic looking gentleman approached you with guns drawn and told you to halt or freeze would you really stop even if they identified themselves as cops? Or, would you try and get into a lighted area first? Myself if I see blue lights behind me at night and I am on the interstate I put my flashers on and slow down and drive to the nearest lighted populated area. There were multiple mistakes made that night including the bump into the van but 50 shots is excessive by any means..

[gopack443]

of course they were cleared, there cops the trial by judge was just a show. just another waste of time unfortunately

[obama8years]

How come you dont have outrage like this from criminals who kill whole familys. Remember the Witchitah Masacre. 5 whites killed execution style by 2 blacks, did not even get national attention. Richmond, Va whole family slaughtered including young children for a robbery, where is the outrage on that. Police kill a thug who was using his car as a deadly weapon and people are outraged?? Where is the sense in that.

[jazzphowee]

My immediate comment is shock and dismay. For the record I am white. Beyond the verdict, this reporter named Jackie (I think), on CBS local, out of control, NOT the crowd. SHE needs to be reprimanded and perhaps prevented from ever covering an event or story like this. She has repeatedly used the "V" word, i.e., violence where there was none. There is no excuse, she is overreacting and is completely inappropriate and not suited for her assignment. CBS news should be completely embarrassed. There are plenty of capable reporters out there. I am completely offended at her reporting. I could imagine someone at home watching this live news and getting stirred up and her reactions conjuring up their racist%u2019s fears. Incredible. CBS, please tread lightly with dignity like the Bell family has.

[joyce1505]

Posted by pzabbie at 09:03 AM : Apr 25, 2008

Did anyone look at the wedding picture? Bell is not even smiling in his Wedding picture!!??

I have been married almost 30yrs & in half the photo''s my husband was not smiling. So what is your point, that because a black man is not smiling he must be an angry black man. Get real. This young man was killed. Will we ever know the real truth as to what happened on that dark street?

[starleo146]

sure did you expect anything else

[taylor2124]

Good. They should never have been charged in the first place. Leave the cops alone and let them do their job.

[lynne_m1]

I am soooo angry, lots of typos, I meant they should not have been allowed to have a judge decide their fate

[smiley676]

Well, you know I usually don''t run my car into police vans.

I would certainly expect to be shot if I did that.

[jazzphowee]

My immediate comment is shock and dismay. For the record I am white. Beyond the verdict, this reporter named Jackie (I think), on CBS local, out of control, NOT the crowd. SHE needs to be reprimanded and perhaps prevented from ever covering an event or story like this. She has repeatedly used the "V" word, i.e., violence where there was none. There is no excuse, she is overreacting and is completely inappropriate and not suited for her assignment. CBS news should be completely embarrassed. There are plenty of capable reporters out there. I am completely offended at her reporting. I could imagine someone at home watching this live news and getting stirred up and her reactions conjuring up their racist%u2019s fears. Incredible. CBS, please tread lightly with dignity like the Bell family has.

[lynne_m1]

Posted by pzabbie at 09:03 AM : Apr 25, 2008

Did anyone look at the wedding picture? Bell is not even smiling in his Wedding picture!!??

IT IS NOT HIS WEDDING PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smiley676]

I am soooo angry, lots of typos, I meant they should not have been allowed to have a judge decide their fate


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Posted by Lynne_M1

You don''t know anything about the Constitution do you?

[lynne_m1]

It should have been a JURY TRIAL!!!!!! HELLOOOOOOOOO

[cepe10-2009]

It is good to be an officer of the court and have a corrupt fellow officer of the court judge you:)

New police policy - do not bother with identifying your self as a law enforcement officer and shootings are fun!

[navyjimfl]

the 3 are rogue cops who dodged a bullet this time......its hard to convict a cop