Sean Bell

Sean Bell was shot and killed by plain-clothed police officers outside a strip club in Jamaica, Queens County, New York, on November 25, 2006. Bell and his friends were leaving the club on the night before Bell's wedding.

Three officers were indicted for the shooting. The Sean Bell trial ended on April 25, 2008. NYPD officers Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper and Gescard F. Isnora were found not guilty and acquitted on all charges.

The police officers had the strip club under surveillance when the incident occurred. The officers were in plain clothes. On the night of the shooting officers claim they heard Bell's friend Joseph Guzman say "yo, get my gun" upon leaving the club after an alleged argument with a woman inside.

An undercover detective followed Bell and his friends as they left the club. He allegedly told Bell to put his hands up, but Bell accelerated the car, and hit another officer and unmarked police van. Victims testified that the detectives never identified themselves and approached with weapons drawn. A hail of 50 shots were fired at the car containing Bell and his friends.

Police testified that they believed Bell was reaching for a gun but no gun was ever found. Two of his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, were wounded. Bell was shot four times in the neck and torso. Guzman was shot 19 times, and Benefield was shot three times.

After seven weeks of testimony, the Sean Bell Trial came to a conclusion on April 25, 2008. Three officers were charged with shooting Bell. Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper, and Gescard F. Isnora were acquitted on all charges after the judge could not find guilt beyond a reason of doubt. The family of Bell was escorted out of the courthouse by Reverend Al Sharpton, who supported the family throughout the trial.

The verdict came as a shock to the community. A crowd gathered outside the courthouse but remained orderly for the most part. Reverend Al Sharpton said "Justice didn't miscarry; this was an abortion of justice,". The fiance of Bell ran out of the courtroom right after the verdict was read.