Cops Plead Not Guilty Amidst Community Tension

Three detectives were charged in the November 2006 shooting of Sean Bell outside a Queens nightclub, and all three pleaded not guilty. Two of the police officers, Detectives Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora, face serious charges that include first-degree and second-degree manslaughter (it was originally thought they would only face second-degree manslaughter), while Detective Marc Cooper faces charges of reckless endangerment. When asked how he would plea, Isnora's lawyer Philip Karasyk said, "Not guilty of each and every count of the indictment."

You can read the indictment here (PDF). Detectives Endowment Association president Michael Palladino called the indictment "excessive," but community leaders were unhappy. The Reverend Al Sharpton said that all five officers involved in the shooting should have been charged, and City Councilman Charles Barron said, "For all five [officers] not to be charged in concert is a real concern and for there to be no depraved indifference when you shoot 50 bullets makes no sense." Sharpton has said Bell's friends and fellow shooting victims Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield won't cooperate if the trial is moved out of Queens. What do you think?

Jimmy Breslin has a column for Newsday: He visits the Kalua Lounge, the club where Bell and his friends had been celebrating before the shooting, and then heads to court house to hear the verdict being read. And his thoughts on the judge, Arthur Cooper, who will preside over the trial:

He is a former state assemblyman from Queens and he has an effect on this case right away. No defendant being represented by a lawyer with his senses would take the case non-jury with Cooperman as the judge. Cooperman is a cannon so loose that Caribbean pirates wouldn't use him.

The Daily News says Cooperman "has a history of slamming cop haters."

Mayor Bloomberg's statement began, "After hearing the case presented by the Queens District Attorney, the Grand Jury has spoken. Although some people will be disappointed in the Grand Jury’s decision, we have to respect the result of our justice system" and included references to the dangers cops face and his meetings with community leaders. He concluded, "Nothing anyone can do will bring back Sean Bell. But we can resolve to learn what lessons we can from this tragedy.” And Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that the NYPD was conducting an internal probe and, "Recognizing that the shooting death of an unarmed individual by police has exacerbated relations in the minority community, the Police Department will redouble its efforts to build the best possible relations with all of New York City's diverse communities."

Left photograph of Isnora (second from left) and Cooper (far right) leaving the courthouse by Louis Lanzano/AP; right photograph of Oliver (right) with his lawyer by Jesse Ward/pool

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By Jen Chung in Miscellaneous, News on March 20, 2007 12:49 PM

Comments [rss]

Geesuz

Who else is thinking that they are going to cast Joaquin Phoenix as Michael Oliver in the inevitable movie based on this?

JP Lynch

The first-degree manslaughter charges seems to be a little extreme and I think will be the toughest to prove. By definition it would mean that the officers set out to kill Mr. Bell, rather than his death being the result of the officers mistakes. I think that charge might be to make the victim's and their families content.

As far as Sharpton is concerned, he is a rasict asshole that cares nothing for African-Americans unless it will benefit him. As I've seen in other posts, where is his outrage over "black on black" crimes?

The two officers that were executed on Staten Island a few years ago were African-American but Sharpton was nowhere to be seen. Why? His agenda against the NYPD would have been compromised if he showed ANY support for them.

The Bell family should get other counsel - if the victims (Guzamn and Benefield) don't cooperate, how can they hope to help the prosecution get a conviction?!?!

fme

What's amazing to me is that an obviously less than reputable place like Kalua stays in business while DeMarco's shuts right down.

If Sharpton was so confident that crimes were actually committed, he wouldn't worry about venue.

S.D.

Considering all the Negative PR generated by the Rev. Al, I doubt these 3 can get a fair trail in Queens. If a change in Venue happens, it's due to statements like the Rev. Al's...

Ace

Without question this trial needs a change of venue.

The officers involved are entitled to a trial by a jury of their peers and not a lynch mob. I am pretty sure that fellow shooting victims Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield will be compelled to testify with a subpoena wherever the trial is convened.

lawyer mcdoublespeak

I sat on a jury last fall where the black lawyer tried to get her black client off on a drug sale charge by saying that acting in concert isn't a real charge. The kid was the money holder working with another guy who held the drugs.

Tom

Didn't I read that these three police officers fired like 46 of the 50 bullets? What, exactly, does Sharpton want the other two charged with? Not shooting enough?

The fact that a City Councilman doesn't grasp that each person gets charged individually is frightening on so many levels.

And the fact Sharpton doesn't want this trial moved out of Queens speaks volume of how much he wants a fair trial of these officers. The fact that he wanted murder charges levied on something that very clearly was not murder also does.

Not Amused

The fact that these cops are pleading not guilty shouldn't surprise anyone . If you were accused of a crime would you plead guilty ? I don't think so .

ed_Extinct

*Sharpton has said Bell's friends and fellow shooting victims Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield won't cooperate if the trial is moved out of Queens.*

What exactly does this mean? They won't testify if the trial goes to anoher county?

Anyone who takes the stand is opening themselves up for some serious cross examination by the defense. If these men have any criminal past, the case will lean toward the defendants and will help their case.

Also, reasonable doubt with a jury, is a great thing. I would love to be a juror on this trial.