Bell's Family: Cops Should Be Accountable
Victim's Family Won't Rest Until Justice Is Served
-
Play CBS Video
Video
Protests Over Police Acquittal
Demonstrators in NYC protested the acquittal of three police officers accused of killing an unarmed black man. The case is raising questions about race and excessive force. Priya David reports.
-
-
Photo
A scuffle breaks out after the announcement of the verdict in the Sean Bell case outside of the Queens County Criminal Courts Building Friday, April 25, 2008 in the Queens borough of New York. Three detectives were acquitted of all charges Friday in the 50-shot killing of the unarmed Bell on his wedding day, a case that put the NYPD at the center of another dispute involving allegations of excessive firepower. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
-
Photo
Protesters react to the verdict in the Sean Bell case outside of the Queens County Criminal Courts Building Friday, April 25, 2008 in the Queens borough of New York. Three detectives were acquitted of all charges 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. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
-
The statement comes a day after a judge acquitted the police detectives who killed the unarmed 23-year-old and wounded two of his friends the morning of his wedding. Bell's two friends were also wounded in the shooting, which occurred outside of a Queens strip club, the site of an impromptu bachelor party.
"I'm still praying for justice because its not over, its far from over," Bell's fiance, Nicole Paultre Bell told the CBS Evening News.
Legal experts say Bell's family faces an uphill fight in their attempt to have the officers charged with federal civil rights violations, and might have to settle for attacking them in civil court, where the city, not the officers, would be responsible for paying off any multimillion-dollar verdict.
New York has a long history of multimillion-dollar payouts as a result of civil lawsuits brought by the families of men and women slain or beaten by police, including many settlements in cases where the officers were acquitted of criminal responsibility.
Violent cases like these aren't contained to New York City, and a 2004 study points out that blacks are six times more likely than whites to be shot by police, reports CBS News Correspondent Priya David.
In 2005, New Orleans police officers fired six times, killing a mentally disturbed man armed with a knife. Last year in Oakland, Calif., witnesses say an armed 20-year-old Gary King Jr. was running away when a police officer shot him in the back.
As for the New York police officers acquitted in the Sean Bell case, it's not over for them. The FBI and the department of justice are now stepping in to investigate if the officers violated bell's federal civil rights.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- next
See all 154 Comments--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by wthomas811 at 10:57 PM : Apr 26, 2008
I agree that the young man got himself killed by his own bad judgment.
And yes, he was trying to run over the officer and flee, and he hit another vehicle.
Not only was the kid drunk and driving, the kid was trying to flee to get out of it and used a deadly weapon to try to do it.
Blame the driver. Sue his insurance company!
What a bunch of garbage. If you act like a thug, resist the police and make threatening moves, you''re deserving of getting shot and killed. Wise up. I am tired of the whining about police abuse and improper use of force. The cops are there to serve and protect, and that includes protecting themselves from drunken fools who think they''re tough.
Justice was served, swiftly and with sagacity. Good job.
It said he had bumped the oficer and was backing up when he hit the police van. Was he backing up to try another run at the officer ? I think it is too bad they didn''t kill the driver.
I told you before if you want to try to shup me up just name the place, i will be there. Have you served your country ? I did so i earned the right to voice my opinion. I would be saying the same thiongs if the black officers had shot whites.
No chance of getting fat al, he was already hooked up with a hooker someplace else for the night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by wthomas811 at 10:57 PM : Apr 26, 2008
+
To use the words of that other dumbbutt DR.PHIL,
Hows that working for ya???
The cops most likelygot off BECAUSE OF AL''S MEDLING.
The family would have been better off without AL!!!
two guns son of one gun
I don''t think anyone can tell you anything. I would like to see what happens when you are a victim of a crime. Who you going to call for help hen, Al Sharpton ?
Ranger, you might not be aware of the fact that in "our" neighborhoods, the absolute last people you want to call in an emergency are the police. In fact, they are not even last, they are not an option at all. It is well known and documented, that if the police get involved, the final outcome is usually far worse, this case is a prime example.
"Early on the morning of July 26, 1967, a large section of Detroit was rioting and being patrolled by heavily armed city policemen, state troopers, and National Guardsmen. A National Guard unit heard some shots and thought they were sniper fire from the Algiers Motel. Guardsmen, state troopers, and city policemen rushed the building. Inside they found no guns, but they did find ten black men of varying ages and two young white women. Soon three of the black men were dead and the other occupants badly beaten. One of the dead men had his face beaten off, one eye beaten out of his head, and one arm nearly severed by buckshot."
It is generations old. This happed just a short walk from where I spent my infancy.
The riots mentioned were catalyzed by a special Detroit police unit called S.T.R.E.S.S. (an acronym for "stop the robberies, enjoy safe streets")
Their tactic was to select a random "Black" man, shoot him in the head, and leave him in the street at an intersection as a "warning".
During one such terrorist act, the policeman was shot. The city issued "shoot on site" orders for three men, Hayward Brown, John Boyd, and Mark Bethune.
After being located in Atlanta, Detroit police went down and assisted in the sniping of the three, after which, a young "Black" attorney determined and proved the three innocent. The acquittal of the police sparked the original riots.
Stories like these, of which there are far too many going back far too long, are the reason that it is now common sense to leave the police out of any problems that occur in "Black" neighborhoods, as it is all too common that the victims as well as the criminals, and others not even involved wind up dead, injured, or otherwise harmed at the hands of police.
When 50 rounds were fired, even though there was no crime being committed, that is vigilante justice.
It happens so often in "Black'' communities, that the word "sometimes" is woefully inadequate. evidence suggests that the cops are indeed able to control their adrenaline and emotions when dealing with non "Whites," and so if they are unable to do their job with equal regard for all citizens, then we actually don''t need them.
Correction, "dealing with "whites"...
The cops themselves created the situation. Again there was no complaint of any crime being committed, the worst that was happening was a possible DUI, because the people had left a wedding party in a bar.
50 shots was not an accident.
When was the last time you''ve heard of police officers of any race firing their guns at will at anyone of any race in a rich neighborhood?
Let me ask another question: When was the last time a millionaire was executed in the US?
I have the answer to the last question: Never.
There can be no denying that since the beginning of history poor people have suffered the worst abuse by police and during war times.
Even a situation as emotional and nasty as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it''s always the refugee camps that get invaded by Israel.
Somehow rich Palestinians, or Lebanese, or whatever other country Israel feels like invading, don''t get bombed, or their house destroyed or taken over.
It''s very clear to me that it''s all about economic class no matter where or when.
And that''s very sad. It shows how we humans still have a lot of growing up to do.
Come on, When was the last time a millionaire was executed in the US?
I have the answer to the last question: Never.
It happens more than you think. However, the families keep the bad press about their dearly departed love one out of sight.
Where do you live Chicago or New York ? You talk about your neighborhood. Sure these cases occur and i agree much to frequently. I don''t think it is right either. But if you can''t call the police who do you call ? Why is crime rate so high in the black neighborhoods ? Better yet why do the black people allow it?
Yes al has a righ to freedom of speech, bnut he only shows up when he sees an opportunity to make a buck. He is a black racist vulture who feeds off tghe blacks tragedies. I asked if you would call him because you said you didn''t trust the police. I am retired military and retired law enforcement and have a dgree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. In this case the police officers were working undercover and wer not in uniform. They did tell the individual to stop, upon which the driver bumped him and backed into a police van. Was the driver backing up to try to run down the police officer ? We don;t know because we werent''t there, but i would think that is why the first officedr opened fire. Firing 31 times i think this calls for an investigation. My point is if the individual driving had complied they would have all been ok today. Why was he trying to get away if he was innocent of anything ? Maybe he thought the cop was a thug trying to rob them, but the officer did tell him he was police. You thought my comment was stupid, i replied to yours because i thought it was stupid.But i still maintain we both have a right to our opinions. That is what i served my country for so we all have the freedom of choice and speech. I served in law enforcement to give something back to the community. No cop takes the job because of the money.
Closethippy1, you just made an excellent point. Well thought out and timely.
The more I read your post the more I admire it. Keep up the good work, you smart one!
New Yorkers refuse to excersize any responsibility for their government...they elect big businessmen--or, their utterly corrupt flunkies, like Mafiosi Giuliani--who uses the taxpayers money and public servants to protect him during assignations with his w.*****...the people who get their faces on the CBSNBCABCCNNFOXPBS network....officials who serve themselves and protect themselves and use the police department as a bludgeon to quash dissent and bully and murder innocents at will.
Years ago, Karl Hess, a former Goldwater supporter with nothing to do after the 1964 loss, joined the Black Panthers...he chose them over the SDS, because the ********* at SDS thought only minorities should control the police in their neighborhoods...The Black Panthers and Hess, thought everyone should. Part and parcel of the problem in New York and other big cities is that the people have no control over the people who are supposed to serve them--instead we are exposed to strangers who come into our communities to rule us.
The same is true of the schools...the system for dumbing down and propagandizing the young...these have been taken over by the same centralizing forces...to imprison the mind, just as the police are used to imprison or break the body.
It is way past time for Revolution!
The officer THOUGHT HE SAW A GUN. The officer said the victim put his hand in his pocket reaching for "what could have been a gun". I am incensed at the public''s lack of outrage over police murdering people based on what an officer THOUGHT. A person shouldn''t die because of what someone THOUGHT. You don''t see a gun, then don''t shoot. And please don''t waste my time with officer''s having to make split second decisions. It''s the officer that took a job that could kill them, not the public. Because of what some officer thought, I can be killed? How is it that NO ONE has a problem with this?
The officers were in plain clothes, not uniforms. Plenty of people have been killed, raped, and kidnapped by police impersonators. Just because someone identifies themself as a police officer, then they need to quickly provide appropriate identification.
Tried to run down the officer. Are you kidding me? One car literally tapped, just tapped, another. And... it was the UNMARKED police car trying to block the victim. This man had no way of knowing he wasn''t being carjacked. He died because of irresponsible and incompetent behavior.
AND CAN''T BELIEVE PEOPLE DON''T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS.
I grew up in Detroit, and the incidents I related are from my own memory.
Crime rates are so high because of a few conditions that are a chronic cancer in the tissue of America;
1. "Racism". There are tricks and traps written into American law, and common practice, that are used to make sure money doesn''t enter the "Black" community, pay disparities, zoning ordinances, hiring and promotion discrimination, access to business capital, etc. I could name many more, but I''ll be brief, and trust you know these things.
The combined result of this is that there is comparatively less money flowing in the "Black" community, and fewer opportunities to make an honest, legal living in a capitalist society.
But you gotta have money to survive, and if you can''t get it honestly...
2. Corruption. When local and national politicos consider from where any money is to be embezzled, the first place they consider is the "Black" community. Money for schools, hospitals, even road maintenance is lost.
3. It is also the "shipping port" where hard drugs enter the US, from other countries. Since there are no "Black" gatekeepers, or ship and plane owners, it is clear who is bringing the stuff in.
Note: I wouldn''t get Sharpton involved. He just brays like a donkey and alienates everyone he comes into contact with. Try going to a reputable lawyer who is sympathetic to the cause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The problem is that in most jurisdictions, policemen are on duty 24/7 and armed. They are never off duty per their contracts.
5. Organized crime. The gang known as the "Bloods" have well known connections to the organized crime "families" that still run the "underground economy". which is the main economy in the "Black" neighborhoods.
6. Ignorance. America ignores the root causes of criminal activity, focusing their hatred on those trapped in it, mainly because they are unwilling to admit that they are the root cause of the factors outlined above.
Sort of like when the European settlers would wipe out an "Injun" village, then when the aggrieved party retaliates, they conveniently forget theirs was the original trespass, they demonize the "Injun savages".
Apparently, they tried that one, and as usual, it didn''t work.
These knuckleheads were out at 4 am in a seedy area known for prostitution and drugs .. on his wedding day. Allegedly, one of them asked his homie to "go get his gun" after a confrontation in the club.
Witnesses said the cops identified themselves. Bell tried to flee using his car a a weapon.
Sadly, Bell and his homies messed up and suffered the consequences.
Does it matter the intensity of the situation for these cops? Do folks truely beleive they FEEL GOOD about taking this mans life?
I am sure if 2 of 3 were white, we would be hearing all about racism .. but since 2 of 3 were black Sharpton can''t play that card ... yet.
Sharpton is looking for a payday. If the Bell family had any character, they would just find a lawyer and quietly file thier wrongful death suit and see if they can get paid.
Sharpton is not the quintessential civil rights activist, he is a leech, looking for face time and another way to line his pockets. Keeping alive the race baiting mess that many are sick and tired of hearing about. Remember Tawana Brawley?
Here you have a New York PIG threatening an activist with a false charge of having a bomb on tape...ON TAPE!! and nothing is done by the PIG brass in New York.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/280407reportbomb.htm
These cowards fired 50 times at unarmed men...they and their supporters are beneath contempt!!
Posted by Prinzowhales at 09:55 AM : Apr 27, 2008
Most, if not all politicans are criminals. whats your point?
Not sure what your point is on this one either .. I must have misread the reports ... and did not see where any of these officers were there off duty.
I guess folks see this the way they want, we can see who has contempt for the law/law enforcement and who does not.
Some feel that Bell and his homies have no culpability and others feel they do ...
When Sharpton gets called in, you know its going to be a circus ...
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- next
See all 154 Comments