Sharpton, 7 Others, Convicted in Protest of NYPD Sean Bell Shooting
New York police officers who fired 50 shots at an unarmed African-American man leaving his bachelor party in 2006 weren’t convicted of any crime, although the gunshots killed Sean Bell.
But eight individuals, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, were, after protesting three detectives’ acquittal in the Sean Bell case earlier this year. The eight were found guilty by a Manhattan Criminal Court judge yesterday of disorderly conduct, a violation that will not create a criminal record, reports the New York Times.
Judge Larry Stephen sentenced the eight only to pay $95 in court costs, however, rather than the community service requested by prosecutors, the newspaper notes.
The May protest, which included many others, blocked bridges and tunnels in New York City, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Two friends of Bell at the shooting scene in Queens testified that police didn’t identify themselves before they began shooting, although numerous officers said they did, according to another Times article.
“I hope the city would think about how the pedestrians who couldn’t walk that day, and the drivers who couldn’t drive, were no different than the three young men who sat in the car that day and were shot at,” Sharpton tells the newspaper.
Earlier coverage:
New York Times: “Inside the Sean Bell Case”
ABAJournal.com: “After Sean Bell Verdict, Critics Call for N.Y. Special Prosecutor in Police Cases”
CNN (commentary): “Testimony of Sean Bell’s friends sank case”
ABAJournal.com: “Columnist Asks, How Can I Trust the Justice System?”
ABAJournal.com: “NYC Seeks to Discipline 7 Cops in Bell Police Shooting Case”
