Elected Officials React to Verdict in Sean Bell Murder Case
April 25, 2008
(Queens, N.Y.) Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans) and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined other elected officials in calling for calm today in Queens following the controversial acquittal in the Sean Bell murder case.
In light of the decision by the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the allegations from the community of police misconduct in the case, Sen. Smith, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), and other elected officials from around the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The elected officials appeared together today when they announced the renovation of the Workforce One Job Development Center. In a statement released today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will initiate its own probe into the Sean Bell case.
“The past seventeen months have been extremely difficult on the families involved, as well as our community. With the verdict in, we must now look to begin the healing process. We must move forward as a community. No verdict can stop the pain of Nicole Bell, his widow, or his family.
It appeared that the evidence presented by the prosecution was compelling and conclusive. Based on our understanding of the evidence and the circumstances, three accused police officers fired a total of 50 bullets at three unarmed and innocent young men, killing Sean Bell and severely wounding Jose Guzman and Trent Benefield.
We will continue to support the Bell family and the survivors of the incident. Though we understand and share the frustration that many New Yorkers are feeling at this moment, we caution against giving into that frustration. Instead, we urge all who are disappointed with the decision to channel their energy into supporting the families’ intention to seek a special federal prosecutor. On behalf of our communities, we intend to file a complaint with U.S. Justice Department to investigate alleged police misconduct in this case. In the near future the Tri-Level Legislative Taskforce, which held city-wide public hearings, will release its final recommendation. We must remain committed to a justice system that is fair to all.” said Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
Photo: (L-R) Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Queens City Councilman Thomas White(D-Queens), Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith(D-St. Albans), New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Small Business Commissioner Rob Walsh and Queens City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens).
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Politics
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One Response to “Elected Officials React to Verdict in Sean Bell Murder Case”
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I hope that those three “Detectives” as well as the “Judge” and Michael Palladino get some kind of punishment for the brutial MURDER of Sean Bell and seriously injuring the other two young men and being set free and supported by their fellow officer, and saying that justice was served. It was a total misconduct of all of them. It is a shame that people can’t trust their “Police Officers”. They have given the name of Protectors for the People a very bad reputation, and the so called “Honest,Fair and Impartial”Judge as he claims he is has really blackened the Judicial System. Michael Palladino should also be repremended, as he sided with the Judge and yet Carl Dean (aka Carl Payne) was convicted for killing Det. Joseph Taylor on September 2,1977, and this president of the Detectives Endowment Association has the nerve to write the parole board telling them not to grant this man parole. Those three are no different or special than anyone else, just because they carry badges does not give them the right to go out and MURDER people.
- Posted by: Beverly