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.
1. 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.
jamilla at 10:37AM on Apr 25th 2008