April 23, 2008
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."
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Why is the judge giving the verdict? Shouldn't it be a jury that does that?
The defendants asked for a bench trial so that they would not have to have 12 Queens residents on the jury.
Go sharpton Go! a riot is just what we need. It will give me the perfect cover to break into tiffany's.
the defendants requested a bench trial, Cowboys; there is no jury.
In the same article, somehow Bloomy knows for a fact that no one is going to riot, while Sharpton says an acquittal would not be justice (which is code for yes, you should riot).
The Bell case was a bench trial; that is, tried before a judge only.
In criminal matters, the accused has a constitutional right to a jury trial, but may waive this right and be tried by a judge acting as both a finder of law (the judge's usual role) and fact (the jury's usual role).
Police defendants often choose bench trials when they believe that a jury would not treat them in an impartial manner; e.g., the homicide of a civilian minority. Given the makeup of most NYC juries, I would guess that this is a wise choice.
Who keeps putting a microphone in front of this animal?! Who made Al Sharpton the spokesman for all black people?
The media is the answer to both questions, UnrepentantFenian.
Al Sharpton has apparently made Al Sharpton the spokesman for all black people. People should be embarrassed to be represented by that walking joke.
This is a good sign, who'd would of thunk it?
the asian up there looks out of place
That's John Liu. Any time he can get on camera, he'll do it. Plus he represents Queens. Legitimately, as in he was elected.
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...
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.
...so any tips on riot proofing a brownstone?
John Liu is the chinaman Al Sharpton
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.
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.
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?
i
that picture rocks. the dude on the right in the t-shirt just noticed that the police recognize him!
Fishy to allow this? Its the freckin law you moron. Defendant has a RIGHT to a jury trial. You dont have to exercise that right. Something tells me the parade of drug dealing criminals the prosecution brought forth as witnesses, arent exactly going to be looked at as credible.
All you people going on about rioting are idiots.
There aren't enough black people left in this town to riot.
I mean seriously now.
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.
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.
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.
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
Sakebalboa...
"...so any tips on riot proofing a brownstone?"
watch I AM Legend,
or the Charleston Heston original
OMEGA MAN
Or just cover the entire exposed surface of your brownstone with job applications. They won't go near that shit guaranteed.
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.
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?