First they randomly (racially profiling) targeted Sean Bell and two of his friends as they leave a club after celebrating his bachelor party. As he got into a car, the police began shooting at them - firing 50 rounds and killing Sean Bell.
The police claimed that they were fired on, but no gun was found on the other side. The men were completely unarmed and guilty of NO CRIME.
The trial only lasted two months.
This is a disgusting outcome. Shame on Judge Arthur J. Cooperman.
And why was there no jury trial? oh right, the three police didn’t want it and opted to go before the superior court. Good ‘ole democracy.
Civil rights leaders demanded a federal investigation and vowed to march through the streets in protest after three police officers were cleared of all charges in the killing of an unarmed black man. (April 25)
“We’re going to demonstrate to the government that New Yorkers will not take this abortion of justice lying down,” said Al Sharpton, prominent civil rights leader.
From Sept. 11, 2007:
