Police Acquitted in Sean Bell Case
Breaking News: A New York judge this morning acquitted three police officers in the killing of an unarmed man outside a Queens nightclub in a 50-shot fusillade that shocked his Queens neighborhood. Sean Bell, 23, was killed on the eve of his marriage in 2006 as he and a group of friends were leaving a bachelor party.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I figured that would happen when I read that the defendants opted for a Judge rather than a jury trial. A jury would have convicted them of something.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I dont think it was as cut and dried as that. I saw on the news that this is far from over though. That I believe.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Well they cant be tried for murder again. Which is good, because it was a major screw up, I dont believe that it was on purpose.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I don’t think it was on purpose either but it certainly was an awful thing to happen. His fiance and family are really upset.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
“Justice didn’t miscarry; this was an abortion of justice,” Sharpton says.
Hmmm. This must be a really profound statement, but I just can’t wrap my mind around what the difference is, where justice is concerned, between a miscarriage and an abortion.
At any rate, I’m glad the angry mob is not out of control…yet.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
It may just be a matter of time A. If Al has his way there will be a blood bath there before too long. I didn’t get anything profound from that statement either….just some hostility.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I don’t think it was purposely done either but 1 of the 3 fired 41 of the 50 rounds even having to reload. There is such a thing as overkill as in the case they keep likening this one to in 1999.
It is interesting though, I just read that Bill Cosby supports the judges decision.
I don’t think they should have been let off scott free and I don’t think they will. There will be a civll case I’m sure.
It was an aweful thing seeing the footage of his friends being cuffed all bloodied etc. and knowing not one of them was armed. He was just out celebrating his last night before his wedding.
Can you imagine what the fiancee’s and mothers reactions were when they were told? I’m hoping that the people that are congregating downtown will do as the family has asked and be peaceful about any protest.
At least 1 of the 3 apologized to the family publically after the verdict. That didn’t change anything but it was nice that he acknowledged what happened unlike the other two who just thanked god, their families, and lawyers.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
It’s one thing to apologize publicly. It’s quite another thing to walk up to the fiancee and mother of a man for whose death you are responsible and apologize to their faces.
Even if these officers are not criminally guilty, and I believe that they are not, this verdict continues an established a precedent in NYC, that precedent being that if a black man is killed by NYPD, no criminal charges will stick. So they can fire away, paint whatever picture they want to paint of the situation, be acquitted of criminal charges, and get fired and sued (worst case scenario). Clearly there are procedural issues that NYPD needs to address given that they have had several recent and public cases of excessive force.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ok, they changed their story from what happened in their original statements. The car WAS moving, and the officers were afraid because Guzman said Yo Get My Gun, to another group of thugs (lets not canonize these people because they apparently weren’t armed), they were at a place that had undercover cops there because of the prostitution and violence that pretty much ALWAYS go down there. Yo get my gun, then a backfire in the car, the car started rocking and rolling backward (this is the victims statements before court). One of the cops panics and one of them shoot, the other cops think it was someone else shooting, and shots were coming from everywhere, what they didn’t know is that it was just from them. I can see this happening. This had NOTHING to about race. This was about violence and the untrained cops that were assigned to the undercover operation.
BTW, I don’t blame cops when they kill a kid who pulls a toy gun either, and I think this is pretty much the category it falls under.
I don’t know why Bill Cosby was even asked personally, but his opinion I always respect, because he knows. He knows what happens to people when the act and talk a certain way. These guys WERE thugs (Rest in Peace Sean, but you stepped in it).
They made the choice to go to the whore house, they made the choice to bully another group, they made the statement about the gun, and something really wrong happened.
And for the record, yeah, there is definitely a good case about accountability and whatnot. But they were found innocent of the charges brought against them. Same as Abner Luima (sic). No, they shouldn’t have been killed. But this is what happens when you put yourself in situations like this.
And for what its worth, they were being tried for MURDER, this wasn’t a murder. It was a situation that nobody had time to think. You don’t know how you would react when you just heard someone threatening about a gun, then they hear something that sounds like a gun, more than one cop shoots, they don’t know where the shots came from. I think it would be a reasonable assumption that one came from the guy who was just threatening that he had one. How the hell were they supposed to know that?
This situation sucks, but these were not innocent young men, they were punking out. They had almost gotten into a gang fight with another group of people.
The judge can only rule on what the defendants are charged with, which was murder.
If they were charged with incompetence? What do you charge a person who percieves themselves as threatened? Thats self-defence IMO – even if they ultimately were wrong about the gun, it doesnt mean that they didnt feel threatened.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
what gets to me is that people keep saying this guys were thugs and i dont think thats right to call them that because that night they were just out at some club trying to have fun and it was pathetic n disgusting how the defense used their past in the trial that had nothing to do with that night. it is about race cus had it been a white man shot 50 times the judge would have at least charged them on some counts. when it comes to justice us minorities dont get the same treatment as a white person, just look at this coke head, alcoholic, drunk driving lindsay lohan, ummm paris hilton, nichole richie and all this young celebrities who break the law and they just get a slap on the wrist THE SYSTEM AND THE LAW DOESNT WORK THE SAME FOR BLACK PEOPLE, HISPANICS OR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
No they were in fact thugs. Their past proved it, they also lied, and this wasnt just a nightclub, it was a whorehouse disguised as a strip bar. Yeah, you paid for sex there, and the reason that undercover cops were there was because of the drug dealing, violence (yeah with guns), and prostitution that happened EVERY night there.
This isnt about race. Counts of WHAT? I do believe they honestly thought they were defending themselves.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Bill Cosby lost his son Ennis to murder. Maybe somehow they connected the two or something. Maybe like Al Sharpton he was there for the verdict and they asked his opinion.
41 rounds from one officer was excessive regardless of the situation. they chose to have the judge rule instead of a jury trial because they knew that the public would go by instinct not by law.
Legally, they did as they were trained to. One felt like his life was in jeopardy as the car moved so out of instinct he fired.
As an officer you never know what you will come up on and always have to be prepared. You are trained that if you feel your life is in danger to draw your weapon etc.
There are still conflicting reports on if the undercover officers identified themselves.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Oh the Rev was there. He is in all the high profile cases around here that involve black people. Any of my friends though (that are black) find him to be a joke. I cant see Bill Cosby taking up with him. He is exactly what Bill Cosby despises, and rightfully believes gives black folks a bad name.
There were 50 rounds, and not all of them were pumped into Sean, that was a total amount of shots. And when you are being shot at, you shoot back when you are a cop. They didnt know they were reacting to each other, and this all happened within minutes.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I REALLY DONT THINK ITS WAS A RACIAL THING… IT WAS A STING THAT WENT BAD….
April 25th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Yeah pretty much tap that ass.
I dont think their intention was to kill anyone. They felt threatened.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Melissa (7.11), I believe that about Al Sharpton – I get the impression he is major bad news.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I agree it wasn’t intentional and I was incorrect on the bullet thing. The one officer fired 31 rounds not 41. The 41 was the total from the 1999 case. Ole Al was there today too when the fiancee who changed her name after the death did a press conference. They are saying the two kids are now 5 and 1. She musta just BARELY been pregnant when the shooting happened.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I still can’t believe the end result of the investigation… I’m amazed.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I am so fed up with Reverend Al Sharpton. Any way to stay in the spot light… disgusting! When does his opinion count when all he ever screams is racism and doesn’t see each case for what it truly is?
April 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I agree, but his followers are all pretty much ignorant, and dont realize that by even listening to him makes them look ignorant as well.
He feeds off hate, and unfortunately there is a LOT of that around. Better to think that you are in your situation because you CHOOSE to be, rather than ACCEPT to be and blame others for it. Its just easier.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
RIP Sean Bell, what ever he had done he did not deservice merdur on his wedding day. Any Policeman who can not see that he is not being shot at before he fires some 50 shots must be fired. There choices to go to this night club or be thugs do not justify the blood bath that Sean bell was drowned in. Shame on you racest people who have less than repect for a deceased man and his mourning wife and father regardless of thier color. karma comes back around.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
And the ignorant people that you all speak of…. well them and ther ancestors happen to have been set back 100 years from your families who were better equiped to teach you. The awful cycle of slaves has continued to effect the black cummunity because salve owners made sure slaves knew nothing. When it was over they didnt all of a sudden become smart… They had to start from teh beginning where whites did years before. Why would you ignorant people expect that black catch up in a race that whites started 100 years before black were even allowed ot the start line.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Well, this pretty much clarifies what kind of people dont take into the fact that Sean Bell was drunk (lost control of his car in a parking lot and was running people down) and talking smack that very much might be taken seriously people that dont think that think that Yo get your gun, is a normal thing to say. Also shows that people that WANT to be a victim once again are and dont educate themselves.
Stop following the victims, start following the leaders. Agreed?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Thank God for the internet, because some people are saying things and yet haven’t fully researched the details of this case.
First, Out of the 51 shots fired, 8 hit Sean Bell, 4 in the neck and 4 in the torso. 19 hit Guzman, and 3 hit Benefield. That is a total of 30 shots. That’s pretty accurate.
Other points, the police officers were unable to find any witnesses that confirmed that shots were being fired back at them.
Furthermore, Guzman requested the gun in the strip club, when he got into an argument with one of the strippers as he was leaving.
Now there is a lot more, but the fact of the matter is like in the Spiderman comics, “with great power comes great responsibly.” Policemen are meant to protect and kill as the last resort.
I mean maybe they are not “murderers” but they do need to be punished for what they did. I’m sorry they can’t go scott-free. That’s not justice.
September 26th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I am so disappointed about this whole situation. If that had been a man defending his home and family he would so be on trial for murder. I think it is sickening how the law enforcement is not held responsible for their actions. I have seen police fly by me with lights flashing and I see them turn and when I get to where they turned they are meeting other officers at a restaurant for lunch. What give them the right to break the law and not be accountable.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:15 am
REV.WRIGHT WAS RIGHT!!!!
Today we are seeing that alot of words of Rev.Wright are true! White greed and entitlement is the reason for the down fall of American institutions Rev.Wright said that GOD is not please with the treatment of his earth and all his people! Rev.Wright was saying that GOD DAMM America treatment of his people! White greed is working to destroy GOD’s people. McCain and the Republican Party are the fuel that is behind the white greed in this country! (GIVE TO THE RICH AND THEY WILL RESPECT THE COUNTRY………WRONG!)This is not all white people and not just white people. (BUT THE WHITE MENTALITY IS RESPONSILBLE) Other races live to believe in white greed! But it is the mentality of the white people with power over our country . That set the momentum of respect and patriotism of American institutions. White greed has sold America out! Company are going oversea jobs are going oversea . All those tax break to the rich has turn into oversea account in the amount of trillion of dollar. Now I must say that this IS NOT a attack on WHITE PEOPLE! BUT it is a attack on the mentality of WHITE GREED’ That has set the climate of disrespect of american value. And is behind the evil down fall of many company TODAY! McCain and the Republican Party is part of the evil! WALL STREET was in the same position as Donald Trump had his backers. Donald Trump had borrow so much of banker money they had no choice but to bail him out. Yes like our government had to bail out these institutions!
October 11th, 2008 at 6:17 am
CRIME AND THE LACK OF PUNISHMENT IN THE WHITE COMMUNITY
Almost weekly there another white wife or girlfriend missing sometime pregnant. Or there is a white childs missing or another white teen shooting up there school. It seem every three month or so a white serial killer is on the losse.The white pundits who controls the American media has disrespected American value and responsible journalism! The result of this disrespect is to white Americans and there community. And all american people. White on white crime is under reported and unchecked! White on white crime has stood at 89% for many many years! The white media turns white crime around and sensationalize and glamorize crime in white community!White criminal have gotten rich off the crime they have commited! By writing books and movie deals! Like the HBO Sopranos where white Italian Mobs are glamorize. Growing Up Gotti puts John Gotti (FORMER MOB BOSS & MURDERER) daughter and grandchildren on tv as celebrity. Where are the Blood’s family? The lack of family value and moral value is constanly said about non-whites. And I’m not saying that non-whites are without problem. I’m just saying between the justice system( THAT HAS TURN A BLIND EYE TO WHITE CRIMINALS) and the white media. Whites crime is unchecked and under reported! White people inmoral behavoir is joked about. Jerry Springer could not stay on the air if he was black and his show was mostly black! This is a show that should have been off the air.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:20 am
BACKDOOR RACISM
A troubling story that has not gotten much attention this election season — or any recent one, for that matter — is why a certain group of roughly 5.3 million Americans won’t be allowed to vote. It isn’t because they’re underage or non-citizens or mentally incompetent. It isn’t because they’re unregistered or physically unable to get to the polls. It isn’t even because they’re limping around with a chronic case of political apathy. Oh, well. Felons, you say. They’re criminals, for Pete’s sake. Of course they shouldn’t have the right to vote. But why is that, exactly?
In places like Mississippi, one of 12 states that permanently bar at least some felons from voting, the reason typically involves the notion that people have displayed very bad judgment by committing a felony, by definition a serious crime. No argument there. But having done so, the thinking goes, they have also proven themselves unfit to make one of life’s most important decisions: choosing the nation’s leaders. As Roger Clegg, president of the conservative advocacy group Center for Equal Opportunity, neatly puts it, “If you aren’t willing to follow the law, you can’t claim the right to make the law for everyone else.”
Officials in Mississippi are so taken with this slogan that they recently piled 11 disqualifying felonies onto the 10 listed in their state’s constitution. The Mississippi attorney general said they could do so without actually amending the constitution, based on his creative reading of a 1998 federal court decision, but the American Civil Liberties Union disagreed. On Oct. 9, it filed a lawsuit in Hinds County, Mississippi, challenging the 11 additions, including shoplifting and timber larceny, as improperly adopted.
Notice that the ACLU didn’t challenge the 10 felonies already in the state constitution. That’s because it is generally legal for states to disenfranchise felons — the U.S. Constitution says so. (OK, not in so many words, but that’s how the Supreme Court reads section two of the 14th Amendment.) Forty-eight states prohibit current inmates from voting, 36 keep parolees from the polls, 31 exclude probationers, and only two — Vermont and Maine — allow inmates to vote, according to the Sentencing Project, a liberal advocacy group in Washington, D.C.