In late 2006, Sean Bell—who was unarmed—was
killed by 50 shots fired by New York City police officers outside a nightclub
just hours before he was to be married. On April 26, all three detectives
involved in the shooting—Gescard Isnora, Marc Cooper, and Michael Olliver—were
acquitted of all of the charges against them including reckless endangerment,
assault, and manslaughter. Protests erupted in New York opposing Judge Arthur
Cooperman’s ruling in this case, and Bell’s family members are continuing to
seek accountability for his death. Some lawmakers have vowed a federal probe
into the shooting, while others feel the ruling should be left alone.
Did the justice system let Bell’s family down, as Bell’s fiance
Nicole Paultre Bell has expressed? Or were the police officers justified in
their shooting, no matter how tragic the outcome? How does this case fit into
the long line of police killings of people of color? Should the family and
lawmakers pursue federal charges against these officers?
Join us this week as we discuss whether justice was served in the
Sean Bell case.
Suggested Readings:
Cops Acquitted in 50-Bullet Killing of Unarmed Black Man on His
Wedding Day
No,
the Cops Didn’t Murder Sean Bell
Lawmaker
vows thorough probe into Sean Bell shooting
Feds must resist push to prosecute cops who killed Sean
Bell
Questions? Call Kristin Millikan at 312.422.5580.