Sean Bell's Family Meets With Feds

Sean Bell's family met with Federal prosecutors on Tuesday, one week before the second anniversary of Bell's death. According to NY1:

The family of police shooting victim Sean Bell called on the Department of Justice Tuesday to bring federal civil rights charges against the detectives involved in his death.

The family's attorney met with federal prosecutors to get an update on the investigation.

Detectives Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper were acquitted of criminal charges back in April.

Bell was shot and killed after leaving a Queens nightclub in November 2006.

Bell's family expressed cautious optimism when asked about the meetings.

"Everything that they've told us today was very encouraging just knowing that, you know, there will be an investigation going on. We're just praying for the best, hoping," said Nicole Paultre-Bell, the victim's fiancee.

"They're really looking into it. And it makes you feel alive a little bit, you know, because next week is a bad day for us, really," said William Bell, the victim's father. "That was a human being taken away from us in the saddest way."

Meanwhile, Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for the new Attorney General in the upcoming Obama administration to investigate the Sean Bell case:

"The minute we get a new attorney general, we must go to that attorney general and deal with the issue of police misconduct," Sharpton said in a fiery address at his Harlem headquarters.

"We must bring the case of Sean Bell and other cases that haven't been handled well in the states to the federal level."

But according to the New York Daily News, federal charges may not be forthcoming:

Sources said the agency appears unlikely to bring federal charges.

"The review by this office has not been completed," said Robert Nardoza, a spokesman for the Brooklyn U.S. attorney's office. He would not discuss the meeting.

"Sources" are often wrong and public pressure may have a role in how the case proceeds.

Our Lens Sept. 1

Hector Jackson (C), who impersonates the late US pop star Michael Jackson, gestures while he takes part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29. Up to 15,000 people are expected to take part in a potentially record breaking mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51.

Omar Torres, AFP/ Getty Images

A long line of fire marches west towards the communities of Acton and Sunland-Tujanga on August 31 in Los Angeles, California. At least 18 homes were destroyed and 12,000 more homes and 500 commercial buildings are being threatened in the fire which already took two lives. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near a ranger station and the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Venus Williams of the United States reaches for a shot against Vera Dushevina of Russia during day one of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A Kenyan Muslim child reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa (Religion School), in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, where observants fast from dawn till dusk.

Sayyid Azim, AP

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center on August 28, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Host Vanessa Williams performs with dancer Gilles Marini onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, in Los Angeles, California.

Jesse Grant, WireImage

A girl plays with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year.

Alberto Saiz, AP

Tom Wainaina recounts the events that lead to his being burned over most of his upper body August 26 in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Wainaina was burned by a group of men during post-election violence in Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential election. Ethnic-tribal violence left over 1,000 people dead. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern, in cooperation with local Kenyan groups, has launched a campaign to provide the urban poor with cash grants to start a business or get back on their feet after suffering disproportionately from post-election violence in 2007. The money is transferred to the recipients via a mobile phone which insures a safe and simple financial transaction to customers who don?t have bank accounts. Wainaina is one of dozens of Kibera residents to receive the assistance of a cash grant. Hairdressers, grocery stores and food vendors are just some of the businesses that have been financed through the program.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

People standing near the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) look at the grave of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) at Arlington National Cemetery August 30, in Arlington, Virginia. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was buried yesterday next to his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) after he died of brain cancer on August 25.

Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images

US President Barack Obama takes out his daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) and niece Suhaila Ng (L) to shop in the Alleys general store on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2009.

Jewel Samad, AFP/ Getty Images

Black Voices

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs