By Branden Cobb on Apr 25th 2008 10:22AM
Filed under: BlackSpin, Sean Bell, Breaking News
Not Guilty on all counts; that's the verdict handed down in the trial of three detectives accused of gunning down unarmed bridegroom Sean Bell in Jamaica, Queens on November 25, 2006.
Today, Judge Arthur Cooperman said while he found the actions of Det. Michael Oliver, Det. Gesnard Isnora and Det. Mark Cooper "careless" he didn't think it rose to the level of making them criminally responsible for Bell's death. His words were more than Bell's Fiancee' Nicole Paultre could take. 
She quickly stood up in the middle of his reading, breaking the silence in the courtroom by saying "I'm outta here." She then hustled into the hallway. Grief stricken Bell's mother began crying softly as the Judge finished talking.
Moments later outside the courthouse in
Kew Gardens,
Queens, President of the Policeman's Benevolent Association Pat Lynch said, "there are no winners," acknowledging that
Bell died that day; a fact he says the officers and the family will have to live with. But Michael Palladino, head of the Detective Endowment Association, made no mention of
Bell.
Rather, he simply praised the judge, calling him a "profile in courage."
Reverend Al Shapton, Bell's fiancee' Nicole Paltre Bell and Bell's family were scheduled to deliver their brief statement following the verdict. However, shocked by the outcome, they chose lead a small peaceful march which began with them shouting "acquittal means fight back." While there has been no indication that violence will follow, it is clear the judge's decision is sending shockwaves through the community.
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By: jamilla on 4/25/2008 10:37AM
the verdict was very disappointing to me. Cops are going to have open season on black males. i truly believe that that the cops did not mean to kill shawn bell. i believe that their fear made them do it. cops who are not from the urban communities come in with a fear already. i've seen that fear with my own eyes and as long as they are afraid then death will happen. there is a need for training for new cops.
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By: Annetta Green on 4/25/2008 10:43AM
First I want to say my blessing is with the Bell family but I am totally outraged at this verdict. Cops can get away with murder and nothing can be done about it. I thought this was America!!! What happened to protect and serve. I don't trust cops and these three that committed this murder, should be held accountable. I hope those three never have a peaceful night sleep and burn in hell.
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By: Sam Winters on 4/25/2008 10:46AM
Only in the USA is cop, killing black is the law.
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By: Maria Luranine on 4/25/2008 10:46AM
I agree with the above comment, how can these 3 cops live with themselves knowing they killed an innocent man? If this were any other case, and they were not cops, the judge would have thrown them in jail!
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By: Melanie on 4/25/2008 10:58AM
I am not surprised to see that a person can sit on the bench once again and rule Cops killing an innocent man Not Guilty. It is an outrage that someone could be so cold. I am deeply sorry for the loss of a Future Husband and Father. Someone who's life was shortened by an Officer's bullet. An Officer who's only excuse was I thought he was reaching for a gun. What is the world comming to??? We allow these same officers to pass judgement on our streets and arrest innocent people on a daily basis.... Can we be so mad? They then go to a courtroom before a judge that allows this to go on! Who will stop it? I am 23 years old and have a brother who was beat up by the police in Chicago several years ago. I am tired of our judicial system!!!! There are more important things they could be doin that gunning down an innocent man............ I feel for his wife as I am a Navy wife and fear my husband going to Iraq to fight for a War that our President cant convince me is necessary!!!
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By: Melanie on 4/25/2008 10:58AM
The judge should be disbarred
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By: Michelle on 4/25/2008 11:13AM
As long as the benefit of the notorious "48 hour rule" is in place for police officers who use their weapons, they will continue to get away in instances such as the Bell and Diallo shootings. The "48 hour rule" keeps police officers from being questioned by any superior officer, even the mayor for 48 hours after discharging their weapons. There is no accountability in an arrangement such as this. 48 hours is not only a avenue for escape, it is a superhighway!!
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By: Light Bulb Bob on 4/25/2008 11:14AM
My condolences and prayers to the Bell Family. This is one of those moments in my life as an African American that, even though it is not surprising, renders me speachless. This just goes to show you that justice is a word that means nothing in this country when applied to the average black citezen. I wonder what it will take for America to wake up and hold the police accountable for the actions they take based on the stereotype that they have of our black brothers. It is time for us to take to the streets and protest this type of behaviour from our justice system. It is time to educate our children on the fact that this system is designed for us to lose and help them realize how hard they must fight for future change. I am simply outraged, shocked and have lost a great deal of faith in the police that have sworn an oath to protect and serve us.
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By: Loretta McMillan on 4/25/2008 12:40PM
I am outraged by the verdict.This gives police officers a license to kill innocent people.This continously happens and the police officers are exonerated.I pray for Sean Bell's family.From this day on black people need to be extremely careful.
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By: Tasha Smith on 4/25/2008 11:21AM
I would like to send my blessings out to the Bell Family try and keep your heads up
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