Cops Acquitted In Sean Bell Shooting Death

WCBSTV.com ^

[RGSpincich]

You still don’t understand the system. The defendant has a right to choose a jury trial or a bench trial.

[wideawake]

Embarrassed silence seems about right.

Off to your N.A.N. meeting, now.

[wideawake]

You still don’t understand the system. The defendant has a right to choose a jury trial or a bench trial.

At this point I suspect that Impy is a bit redfaced about his complete ignorance of this basic aspect of the US legal system.

[wideawake]

We all already realize that you have nothing of merit to say. We get it.

[wideawake]

See post 86, et supra.

[wideawake]

I will give the Rev. Al Sharpton’s FR spokesman the final (non)word.

[Darren McCarty]

Was there reasonable doubt?

From the Times Justice Arthur J. Cooperman, who delivered the verdict, said many of the prosecution’s witnesses, including Mr. Bell’s friends and the two wounded victims, were simply not believable. “At times, the testimony of those witnesses just didn’t make sense,” he said."

I didn't see the facts in this, but contradictions can give a reasonable doubt. I'm biased towards the defense (in all matters). When there's a tossup, I lean toward them.

[frogjerk]

The most likely explanation is that Sean Bell was out doing his usual weekend carousing with his best friends while his live-in girlfriend was home with his children.

Had Bell and friends been questioned they may have even been arrested for solicitation of prostitution due to the nature and content of the conversations inside the strip joint according to accounts in the press. Maybe that is why the tried so hard to flee the scene. Especially if you are to me married the next day. Although I haven't heard anything about where the reception was to be, or the wedding party, or anything of that nature regarding the plans for the special day.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

A trial such as this will be assigned to a judge before venue to another state is granted. Moving the case out of state is impractical and quite an expense.

This ruling followed judicial protocol.

[wideawake]

Had Bell and friends been questioned they may have even been arrested for solicitation of prostitution due to the nature and content of the conversations inside the strip joint according to accounts in the press.

Indeed. The witness testimony had, I believe, Benefield more or less blatantly negotiating for a sex party with one of the dancers - a conversation which set the whole matter in motion, since the solicitation apparently aroused the ire of her "manager."

Maybe that is why the tried so hard to flee the scene.

Good point. After all, Sean Bell could not afford another arrest. He had already been arrested twice for dealing crack in the previous few months. Those cases were pending and he apparently could barely afford the terms of the first two bail hearings.

Especially if you are to me married the next day. Although I haven't heard anything about where the reception was to be, or the wedding party, or anything of that nature regarding the plans for the special day.

I had actually expected when that angle first started being reported that it would be a matter of hours before there were pictures in the paper of her wedding dress, the reception hall, etc.

None were forthcoming.

Also, he was first described as "an unemployed electrician" - and apparently the last time he held down a straight job was two years before.

Who spends money on a bachelor party and a wedding when he has been unemployed for two years? Especially when he has already been living with his girlfriend without benefit of marriage for several years?

[charles m]

Very interesting indeed. It's Hillary's state. Who does she side with? The cops for the white/union vote or the black citizens for theirs?

I think at this point Hillary won't give a crap about her black electorate.

[frogjerk]

Bell did not deserve to be killed but his actions and the actions of his friends increased the likelyhood of him and his friends being in the wrong place at the wrong time. An tragedy that was 100% avoidable.

[wideawake]

Bell did not deserve to be killed

If you try to run somebody down, you are basically asking to be killed.

An tragedy that was 100% avoidable.

I'm not sure it was a tragedy, but it was definitely 100% avoidable.

[dmartin]

I’m sure most here agree with the ruling but many cops are no better than gang members running around with guns and hassling/shooting people. 50 shots.

Where do you live Impy? Which city do you and these cops that you describe call home and how often do the cops hassle and shoot at you all the while competing with the local gangs to rob you or sell you drugs?

The sheer stupidity of your statement is astounding.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Added Bishop Lester Williams: "How can you celebrate officers who are supposed to take care of you and are now going to jail, if that is the case? And then how can you celebrate if they don't go to jail. The loss that that family will [have to] endure [will last] forever, so there is no victory. We have to sit down and make sure this does not happen again."

As blacks continue to be their own worst enemy.

Apparently there's nothing wrong with threatening people and running over police officers as long as you're black.

How is this goof going to make sure this never happens again when he continues to endorse criminal behavior?

[Smogger]

Utter bs. The cops should have been fried. If you pulled the same stunt, and claimed you overheard someone say “get my gun,” and their turned out not to be a gun after you emptied 50 rounds into some guys you would be getting fitted for a needle.