23 year old Sean Bell was killed by three NYPD detectives in November of 2006. The three officers fired 50 bullets into Sean Bell’s body. Detective Michael Oliver was the one that fired the most shots into Bell’s body making up about 31 rounds. Bell was set to get married in a matter of hours before hand.
Recently, all three detectives were acquitted of all charges against them in regards to the death of Sean Bell. Bell’s fiancé, family, and friends have waited for over a year for the case to end. However, the case did not end in their favor. According to Nicole Paltre Bell, the justice system had let her down. She spoke out during a rally that was organized by Reverend Al Sharpton.
Nicole Paltre Bell said that it was Sean’s death all over again when the not-guilty verdict was handed out.
Sharpton said that the fate of the detectives should have been decided by a jury. He had a lot of harsh criticism towards the judge.
In that regard, Bell said: “Yesterday, they – the justice system – let me down. I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I’m still praying for justice, because it’s not over. It’s far from over.”
“If people are on the public payroll, doing their public duty, they should be required to face a public jury,” Sharpton added.
While the verdict has made many people unhappy, Judge Arthur Cooperman, who presided over the hearing, explained his reason. Cooperman explained that there were many problems and holes in the case presented by prosecutors. He explains that the witnesses weakened the case due to either contradiction or have served time behind bars.
However, nobody is out of the woods yet. There will be a possible field day throughout New York City. So far, Bell’s fiancé and two of his friends Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield plan to file a wrongful-death suit with the federal court. So far, there is much outrage going on throughout the city as a result of the verdict.
Due to the impact of the case, this could possibly creep its way up into the general election debates.
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