Sharpton Speaks Out About Upcoming Bell Trial Verdict

Photograph of Reverend Sharpton, with William Bell, Valerie Bell, Nicole Paultre Bell, John Liu, and Trent Benefeld on City Hall steps (above) and photograph of Mayor Bloomberg with Sharpton and Paultre Bell by Jin Lee/AP

The Reverend Al Sharpton held a press conference on the steps of City Hall today to discuss the Sean Bell shooting trial verdict, which will be announced on Friday. Sharpton said an acquittal would not be justice.

The News reports Sharpton questioned a defense attorney's claim that Bell's friend's "attitude" prompted the police fire, "This smacks of Emmett Till, of reckless eyeballing...Is that now what we're going to bring this city to?How do you justify self-defense against a non-threat?" Sharpton added, per the Observer, "At the approach, the recklessness started...We've always called for peace."

However, some friends and family members are preparing for an acquittal. Bell's father William said during a rally on Monday that if there's an acquittal, he'll ask the federal prosecutors to look at the case. He also said the cops "should think before they react. They didn't think. If they'd have thought, I guess he would be alive today. If they'd thought a little more, a couple of seconds. That's all it took to kill him. A couple of seconds."

Today, Mayor Bloomberg was seen on the steps, talking to Bell's supporters. Yesterday, the Mayor made it clear he wasn't expecting riots, in case of an acquittal, "The public will understand that we are a country and a city of laws...They will accept the judge’s decision. They certainly have a right to talk to the press. They will not do anything that will put anybody else in danger and we will go on and hopefully have learned something from this."

A source told the News that when he announces his verdict on Friday morning, Judge Cooperman will "explain himself first, his feelings about the case. Then he is going to give the verdict."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 23, 2008 1:49 PM

Comments [rss]

AnonEMouse

I'm so sick of this Bell case. All I want to know is if NYers should be worried about riots? Do I need to take Friday off from work and stay away from NYC?

Guest

There are a lot of DUMB laws, Mr. Rolltide! My point was this particular law seems to give an unfair advantage to the cops on trial. I'm sorry you missed it, but that's probably what happens when you get an edumacashun in Alabama.

Spear_Chucker

Or just cover the entire exposed surface of your brownstone with job applications. They won't go near that shit guaranteed.

ihateallbrokers

Sakebalboa...

"...so any tips on riot proofing a brownstone?"

watch I AM Legend,

or the Charleston Heston original

OMEGA MAN

ihateallbrokers

as a victim of police abuse & false arrest

i can only hope that for 50 shots we have 50 dead cops...seriously, start with the 108th precint please

berniegoetz

Al Sharpton is just pissed off because that ship full of guns got cut off before it made its way to his best good buddy Mugabe.

ANGRYGOD11

As much as I hate Sharpton, you have to admit 3 unarmed white guys leaving Scores or any of the many strip clubs around late at night night are NEVER gunned down by NYPD.

But, to the guy with the hat and the guy in the white t-shirt, WEAR A SUIT! SHOW SOME RESPECT! You look like you're waiting for the bus.

JacqueMehoff

and that's why there ain't no black criminals on law and order. there's only so many black actors in the pool. now white actors, they're everywhere. ain't no reason why a NYC actor can't get a bit part in ANY of the Law and order franchises, NO REASON.

This goes for OZ, Third Watch etc. they recycle the same actors over and over again playing different parts.

zodak

that picture rocks. the dude on the right in the t-shirt just noticed that the police recognize him!

zodak

i

SapphireSwell

i'm sure if each officer would cry some big crocodile tears in court and had his aunts come out to say it was an accident and he was a good person, it'd all be alright.

wait, sharpton never addressed racism by blacks now, did he?

Gentrifier

Every night, before I go to bed, I pray for the end of racism.

Mainly in the vain hope that the disappearance of racism will force this fat f*** to get a job.

Guest

Thanks to those who answered my question. I knew that there were circumstances where one could ask for a trial by judge instead of jury, but to me, it seems extremely fishy to allow this when the defendants - in this case, cops - work closely with judges on a frequent basis.

If those cops are acquitted, I wouldn't worry about a riot. I'd worry if I were that judge. Jurors' names are withheld for privacy, judges' names are not.

poopmast

John Liu is the chinaman Al Sharpton

sakebalboa

...so any tips on riot proofing a brownstone?

theevilone

And the Rev Al reads from his carefully prepared notes on ...torn out looseleaf paper. It's like he ditched 7th period to have a news conference.

everydaydreamer

Black people are embarrassed to be represented by anyone other than themselves. There is no "great White spokesperson." Why must there be a Black one? There is no monolithic Black whole. Just saying...