Sharpton, Others Dismayed Over Jury's Cop Shooting Decision

The Reverend Al Sharpton at an event in July. (AP Photo/Carolyn)

Black leaders expressed frustration yesterday after a grand jury voted not to indict Officer Andrew Dunton in the fatal "friendly fire" shooting of fellow Officer Omar Edwards one rainy night in Harlem at the end of May. The Black Law Enforcement Alliance called the decision "disturbingly predictable," and demanded that investigations of police shootings be independent of the Police Department and the district attorney’s office: "The relationship between the police and the local prosecutors is incestuous and threatens public confidence in the integrity of the process."

At a press conference yesterday, The Rev. Al Sharpton said the decision was expected, as grand juries rarely indict officers in friendly fire shootings. Appearing with Edwards's mother, Natalia Harding, Sharpton renewed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the shooting. And Rep. Charles Rangel told the Daily News, "The grand jury's finding that Officer Dunton had not committed a crime did not mean that race was not a contributing factor in Officer Edwards' death."

Christopher Dunn, the associate legal director of the NYCLU, told the Times that according to police statistics more than 90 percent of those shot at by NYPD are black or Latino. But the president of the NYPD detective's union, Michael Palladino, says that in this case, the grand jury was right: "The case is similar to Sean Bell: tragic, but not criminal." And Edwards's father told reporters outside his home yesterday, "If they feel they’re not supposed to indict him, what am I going to say? There’s nothing I say or do that can stop the situation. That was my son’s job, he knew his life was always on the line when he was on the street."

In announcing the decision yesterday, Manhattan D.A. Robert Morgenthau released an official time line of events on the night of the shooting. The account maintains that Edwards, who was not in uniform as he chased a thief with his gun drawn, was ordered to stop by Officer Dunton, who identified himself as NYPD. According to Morgenthau, Edwards "slowed but did not come to a complete stop. In response to Officer Dunton’s commands, Edwards turned his body toward the anticrime officers, making eye contact with Officer Dunton and pointing his gun at him. Officer Dunton fired six shots in very rapid succession." NYPD spokesman Paul Browne says the department is considering a new carrying case that an officer could wear around his or her neck so the shield would be more visible.

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By John Del Signore in News on August 14, 2009 2:08 PM

Comments [rss]

yytttt

In this case I have to side with the grand jury. Officer Dunton was serving and protecting the city by taking a cop off the streets. Good work, officer, now shoot yourself.

Billiamsburg

Oh Al. I guess the 5 blacks beating that Pratt student half to death don't merit a response eh?

FJF

He didn't say anything about the tragic deaths of two youths on 125th street yesterday? He's really losing his touch.

ides_of_march

Hey Al, how's Tawana?

ANGRYGOD11

Over 100 years ago it was said a NY grand jury would indict a ham sandwich. Unless it was obvious the DA pulled it's punches and sabotaged the case, thus risking disbarment, nobody can really complain about the result.

hotstepper

"The Black Law Enforcement Alliance called the decision "'disturbingly predictable'"

they must be responding to the fact that charlatan sharpton only pops up when blacks fall into the victim role and not a peep when they are the villains.

sowhtifithppnsitwll

Is he licking the mike? :-)

Felix Hoenikker

I think it's called 'foreplay'.

silver

Why is the media still paying attention to this douchbag?

Or its racist if they don't give him 24/7 analyst coverage?

valeriob

Let me fill in for whatshisname;

Has Al Sharpton straightened out his tax issues yet?

whitecastlerock

Thank you for reminding me-Al has been scarce as of late. No doubt raising money, legally of course, to settle his multiple tax issues. Hmmm, has Reverend Al settled those tax issues yet?

valeriob

God bless you Bernie Madoff-Goetz

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

JackOff to post "God Bless You Al Sharpton" in T-minus 3, 2, 1...

JacqueMehoff

hey you remembered me, I'm touched.

The Blue Wall of Silence Strikes Again.

I see the Gang's all here, those 91 posts from that other story was not enough.

God Bless you Reverend Al Sharpton, keep fighting the GOOD fight.