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Name: McNasty
Comment: I don't know how in the world the justice system calls this justice or even how they justify 50 bullets and no weapons found. Just Us. We worry about freedom when it means so many different things to us but I wonder when we will ever be equal.

Name: Grace12_34
Comment: Wow, I am impressed that for ONCE EUR has up-to-the-minute news. I'm proud of ya, EUR.

Name: oldschoolbrother
Comment: I feel for the family, it is truly another sickening event that only happens to blacks and hispanics. The legal system refuses to see any of us as different. One of the reasons I have heard is that most criminals are black or brown so it is a shoot on sight mentality and evidently once in court, it is a win win for the cops.

Name: katgrrrl
Comment: Sorely disappointed, but not surprised.

Name: GHank
Comment: Call it desensitized, but I'm not even surprised by this verdict. I saw they way this case was going it was looking real bad. If they burn up half of Queens, NY, it wouldn't shock me. The NYPD had been getting away with this for years.

Name: TGen
Comment: I'm not a person who believes in "punishment" per se, don't believe the death penalty or locking people up should bring anyone solace because at the end of the day, the victim is not coming back. All that said though, I have to say, my heart is hurting right now. I had truly believed this country had learned some lessons from the past, but it appears not. I hurt because this is not just about racism per se (two of the cops were Blacks), but about a real problem in this country--overzealous, power-drunk, even pathological police officers. Black men appear to enemy #1, and for what? I hurt because our "justice" system has failed yet again. I don't know what else to say, I'm so outdone.

Name: nightshift
Comment: This is a tragedy, McNasty not trying to foster a defeatist attitude, but it'll never happen.

Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: [hawk a loogie, legs aklmbo, hands on hips] what justice?

Name: TGen
Comment: Me too, Grace12_34, lol. I had even posted this news in the other (unrelated) Snipes thread because I just knew EUR wouldn't pick up on it any time soon. Ha! The joke was on me! Good job EUR, this is a story worth being ON TIME for.

Name: Train
Comment: M.F.!!!!! And you wonder why black folks don't trust the police or have any faith in the judicial system. What the hell can justify getting shot at 50 times? The NYPD are evil and if I lived in the NYC I would declare open season on their punk azzes. F'uck the police!!!!!

Name: whynotme
Comment: --->TGen just because two of the cops were black doesn't mean it was racism....it's called racial profiling and even black cops believe the hype that all black people are criminals so it is indeed racism at his finest!

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: McNasty: WE (black ppl) will never be looked at or considered EQUAL. It looks good on paper and sounds good in theory but, the proof is in the way WE are treated, time and time again. I for one am not surprised at this verdict. It just validates the fact that black and spanish lives are worthless in the eyes of justice and in the name of justice. This also validates the fact that all black parents need to school their children, ESPECIALLY their boys, that they have to "act & react" a certain way in public or, their very life could end in a split second by those who are paid to serve and "protect." I also believe that in the inner city, those policing the neighborhoods - should be made to live in such neighborhoods. That way, they will see these people on a day-to-day basis, working, playing etc. Therefore they see and meet them on a human level and they will have a better understanding of those they are protecting and those they are arresting. They will begin to see there IS a DIFFERENCE between the two. I also believe the superiors of the police officers need to STOP putting out ARREST QUOTAS. If there is no crime, the cops should not go out there "looking" for someone to arrest just to fill a quota. Too many black men (and women I am sure) get arrested under these false pretenses. The police also need some sort of "Sensitivity Training." If they don't get sensitivity training and soon, all black people will have to live our lives as potential targets. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Name: TGen
Comment: True Whynotme, you're so right. I parsed my words carefully because I knew that would be pointed out, lol. So I chose to say not JUST about racism, meaning racism played a part, maybe even the biggest part, but it's not the only part. I sincerely think there's something mentally going on with a lot of the boys in blue...but that's just me. But you're right.

Name: whynotme
Comment: i meant to say "just because two of the cops were black doesn't mean it wasn't racism"

Name: blackdragon
Comment: What a tragedy. Justice was not served in this case.

Name: queeniebunz
Comment: This is exactly why I am down w/Chris Rock and his skit on how to deal w/the police - no sudden moves, speak politely - no profanity, hands on steering wheel, etc. The police ARE a bunch of bullies - black or white. If you look at the type of people who typically join the police force, they are bullies and always were bullies who need to be in that position to feel good about themselves. We all know this. It surely ain't right and ain't neva gonna be right but they are. Knowing that, black men have GOT to suppress any attitude/anger when dealing with the police. They just have to or they can lose their lives. Here in PG Co. Maryland, cops are notorious for police brutality. They're right up there w/LA and NYC in police shootings. They shoot first and justify later. Knowing this, I always told my lil bro to be as submissive as can be if stopped. He's alive and well now so I'm glad I told him that.

Name: whynotme
Comment: --->TGen i also agree with you when you say there is something wrong with those cops.....they are some crazy azzholes!!

Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: AA and YT police protect YT people and YT people's property: what justice?

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: One other thought for the police... What happened to "Shoot to Wound?" These days, they "SHOOT TO KILL!" They are just licensed killing machines when it concerns a black man. I really fear for you brothers when you are out there. I KNOW it is hard being a black man in this world. May you all travel with God's mercy when you leave your door in the morning until you return home in the evenings.

Name: Grace12_34
Comment: I feel for the family as well, BUT, like the judge, I did not believe the "witnesses" who were with Sean Bell were innocent little lambs. The burden is on the prosecution to prove its case, and it did NOT because it had lousy-as sed witnesses. THAT is what the verdict in this case is based on. WHY were 50 shots fired?? The finger sticks to the trigger IN FEAR. Nobody's going to "burn up half of Queens, NY" either. People are too stunned over the price of gasoline and rice.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: Oh wow, I pray for peace after this verdict. My heart goes out to this man's family.

Name: queeniebunz
Comment: And please don't misunderstand me. I am EXTREMELY upset about this as I was in the other outrageous shootings. I just believe as someone else said that you have to deal with reality and not what you wish things were. I wish things were different but they aren't. As such, we have to teach our young men to be as law-abiding as possible or a cop CAN and WILL put a cap in they azz and get away with it and that'll be that. I honestly don't think this is EVER going to change. In this country blacks and latinos are never going to be valued as people. We've been trying for 400 years and our lives still ain't worth a plug nickel to whites. That's why when a black girl/woman is missing they're like "so what"? but when a Becky is missing they pull out choppers, blast it on every news station, pull in the FBI and basically the country shuts down until a lead is found. For a "Keisha" or a "Lupita" they just file a report and tell the family, "She probably just ran way. She'll come back when she wants to." and move on. So this does sadden me but it in no way surprises me.

Name: TGen
Comment: Grace12_34: "WHY were 50 shots fired?? The finger sticks to the trigger IN FEAR." Maybe, but as someone pointed out, after the first couple minutes when you realize you're NOT hit, seems like SOMETHING would tell you, "this guy is not shooting back!" So that "fear" thing does not hold water. There is NO justification for three people shooting one person 50 times, just none.

Name: Grace12_34
Comment: TGen, adrenaline is a SOB.

Name: arkansasgirl
Comment: If they thought the car was going to run them over, why didn't they shoot the tires on the car?

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: Grace12_34: I am sure the witnesses were not "innocent little lambs" as you say (in their personal life). But can you tell me what they did on THIS NIGHT that could justify the police following them out to their car and BLASTING it full of holes? Especially when no shots were being fired back

Name: arkansasgirl
Comment: F*ck adrenaline. The one punk azz that reloaded adrenaline should have came down when he was reloading and figured out weren't nobody shooting at his punk azz! An out of contrl shooting frenzy, where the police don't realize that they are the only ones shooting is unforgivalbe. If you are a police officer and your judgement is that impaired, you need to change jobs!

Name: queeniebunz
Comment: I read the case info on msnbc and as someone said, when this happened the police claimed that he drove the car at them. Obviously the judge believed them based on the evidence/testimony given. Well, a car is a 3,000 weapon to the police. That being the case, if it did happen like that, they had a right to shoot at him. He may not have been armed with a gun but he was "armed" with something that can and does kill people all the time - a car. And, w/automatic weapons being so fast, 50 rounds really doesn't take that long to fire if 3 people are firing. And, if a car is coming at them, I'm sure they're not thinking "I'd better shoot the tires" or "I need to shoot to wound". I know I'd be tryin' to kill whoever is driving a car at me. But that doesn't mean that police brutality doesn't exist because it surely does.

Name: Grace12_34
Comment: Before the trial even began, when one of the witnesses was on camera talking from his hospital bed, I did not believe him. We will NEVER KNOW WHAT they did THIS NIGHT, Bad_Kitty, because we were not THERE. That is the problem with this case, there were NO CREDIBLE WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION. No other good physical evidence either, like someone standing around with a video camera, recording every move and every word. It's a shame that the young person who was killed was about to start a brand new life away from the "witnesses" and in another state, and now it won't be realized.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: Elenore Bumpurs, Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima . . .

Name: arkansasgirl
Comment: "No other good physical evidence either, like someone standing around with a video camera, recording every move and every word."......a video camera still didn't help Rodney King and that was as good as physical evidence you can get!

Name: iclaudius
Comment: I am truly saddened by this verdict. It is such a shame that the justice system in America still makes us second class citizens. I'm going to say a prayer for the family.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: Grace, my question is that in a court of law, would there be any credible witnesses who frequent strip clubs at 4 am? I mean, who would have been satisfactory to the judge: another judge, a lawyer, a cop perhaps. Oh I know, a doctor, maybe? This is bull, the judge knows it. Priests, pastors and altar boys don't hang out at strip clubs, Judge. And since when is someone's DEMEANOR on trial? Oh yea, now.

Name: queeniebunz
Comment: Keep in mind that what I said above is me playing devil's advocate. I would have to read the court transcript to know everything presented about the case and I haven't read it.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: yes, arkansas, yea we beat him, because we beat him like a dog and not a pig . . . we're innocent. He could have stopped the beating by behaving but he didn't.

Name: Selah
Comment: Tragedy

Name: DiamondChocolate
Comment: This is some straight Bulls@%#!!

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: And as a witness, don't you SWEAR to tell the truth. Did the judge CONSIDER the testimony. How about what they said and not "how" they said it. I'm stuck on DEAMEANOR. WTF?? I thought you were to be judged by a preponderance of the evidence. Whas Demeanor entered into evidence? NO JUSTICE. JUST US . . . But careful NYC, don't go and get crazy and start doing things and end back up in the system that just acquitted these officers. Rioting, etc is not the answer.

Name: pn2ppr
Comment: I just can't take this shyt anymore. I am so ready to leave this country. My heart hurts so much right now. I hurt for all of us because we have to walk this earth this way. Teaching our boys to be submissive men just to stay alive. I hate it. It would be simple and fair if the ONLY people who were killed by the police were criminals. Real criminals of any race. Sadly that is not the case. When I'm walking down the street and encounter police I take my hands out of my pockets and pray that they don't kill me on gp. Then they have the nerve to call my house asking for donations to the PBA. I wouldn't give a rats a ss to those murdering b a s t a r d s.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: Not guilty doesn't mean innocent. Now bring on the civil suits. Do a Goldmans on their azzes and tie them up for ever in civil suits and prevent them from making one penny. Sue the crap out of them and the judge, too. DEMEANOR. How 'bout the testimony of a law professor who hung out at the strip club, would that have sufficed? This judge CHOSE not to consider all the evidence. But the judge and cops are all part of the same system. But take heart, my people. God knew when he brought Sean to this world, when he'd get here and how he'd leave. Now that we've seen that once again, justice has not prevailed, we must let go and do what we can to somehow get past this. It's not fair, I know and it hurts, I know. But what do we do?

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: I hope the new governor of New York is prepared for this verdict outcome. I just can't see this going over well.

Name: Angel
Comment: Bad_Kitty - I have plenty of cops in my family and they ARE NOT trained to shoot to wound. They are most definitely trained to shoot to kill. There were no weapons in this case....except the vehicle was considered a weapon. This is a travesty. I don't think anyone can justify shooting at someone 50 times. Even if these guys were hardened criminals, the police could have easily wounded someone passing by or in an adjacent building. Unless someone open fired at them with an automatic weapon, I don't see how they justify it. If dude was coming at them with his car, why are you shooting at passengers? How hard is it to get out of the way of the car? This was so not necessary.

Name: dport
Comment: Gotta be said again...this is soooo messed up. When will I be able to say to a judge after shotting someone that "I was in fear of my life' and just be able to get away with the shooting?

Name: javone77
Comment: This just brings about an even more need to get Barack in office. Black people all over the country have experienced some kind of racial injustice but this is the worst kind. "my black life is not worth ruining 3 white lives" the fact that a PERSON, forget that he's black, can be killed and there be no accountability for those responsible is beyond ridiculous. but as long as the lawmakers and judges are white there will never be any real justice for us.My understanding is that police are trained to diffuse a situation without loss of life. It seems that there was no attempt here to even try to get the situation under control.

Name: arkansasgirl
Comment: Reluvbaby, you are stuck on DEMEANOR and I'm stuck on the witnesses not being "innocent little lambs".

Name: Deb70
Comment: Wow. It's 2008 and ain't a dam.n thing changed.

Name: GHank
Comment: As a black man, the one thing other black men have to be smart about the situations we get into. Over the past 10 years, I really curtailed my going to "strip clubs" or any other clubs for that matter. Clubs like the "Kaluha Club" are a magnet for crazy shyt to happen. (I've been there) Bruthas, we know that we are open season to the police. We now know that the police will shoot our butt at the drop of a hat...white cops and black cops alike. Another thing is that please becareful about the company you keep. You can't always hang with that diper buddy that you know is shady as hell.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: The problem is we have an imperfect system made up of imperfect people, and that's how we get imperfect judgments, verdicts. People become cops for many reasons, but a gun in the hands of someone who is "afraid" is recipe for disaster. DEAMEAN THIS!!!!!

Name: pn2ppr
Comment: Javone77 how is Barack going to stop the police from killing and getting away with it? These are state and city problems and the powers that be within state and city government are going to do whatever they want unles Barack, congress and senate pass laws to change the way judges can rule. So far, I haven't heard the candidates address these issues as part of their respective platforms. IRAQ, ECONOMY, HEALTHCARE, are the focussed points in this election.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: That's some real talk, GHank. Sad but true. Don't look for this system to protect you. The little this system did do for you has whittled away. As a black man, you KNOW it's open season on you so, guide yourselves accordingly. While it may seem unfair, it's said that God doesn't give you more than you can bear.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: Had they shot a dog 51 times the mofos would have gotten life.

Name: Deb70
Comment: And I'm interested to see if the State Senator from New York will have anything to say about this verdict. Ahem.

Name: lucyrose
Comment: I know I might get jumped on for saying this but I have to what happen to Sean bell is a tragedy but why come when the cops kill us we are so up in arms but when the criminals do it we don’t see anything or hear anything I mean these thugs start shooting not caring who kids are around don’t care who gets hit with a bullet a little girl was riding her bike in Trenton and got shot in the face with stray bullet some people came forward then went back to the police and recanted their story last weekend in Philly and Chicago 6 people were shot in each state mostly gang related last summer a woman was sitting on her front stoop eating a cheese steak and was shot in the chest killed a mother taking her 5 year old to school some kids started shooting a bullet killed her daughter…………….. and so on and so on this happens every day in our communities and nothing is done by public or police if we don’t start putting value on our own lives what do you thing yt is going to do if we can’t come forward for the babies what is left

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: We knew it was goig to happen. All the police ever have to say is We or I "thought they had a gun". That's it. I feel like blowing up something at this moment.

Name: Deb70
Comment: And funny that it was the white guy that shot Bell 31 times. Cracker. Yes, I'm pi.s.sed. The coons with him ain't no better. They'll get theirs.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: Cooperman said Guzman's angry outbursts on the stand hurt the prosecution's case and he was swayed by defense arguments that both survivors might have tailored their testimony with an eye on winning a $50 million civil suit against the city. AGAIN, THIS SOMEHOW COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

Name: Angel
Comment: Javone - What 3 white lives are you referring to? 2 of the cops were black....

Name: javone77
Comment: Ya'll know Hillary ain't gonna have nothing to say lol that's one race conversation she wants no part of LOL Pn: it's not that he can do anything personally...but he's a symbol of hope for a LOT of people who think they are not getting a fair shake. A man in the white House that looks like us! Maybe more black people will raise up and shine an even bigger light on the problem and maybe Barack can give people hope. But of course they are not talking about black crime........he has to appeal to wide audinece. He knows our struggle but to get elected he's got to show that the MAJOR issues are getting his attention. That's just being a politician.

Name: oldschoolbrother
Comment: My only other comment is this. In my younger days I would venture down to the spots that had majority YT in them. I would see drunk white men and women spit on cops, punch at them, everything. The cops would show massive restraint. Reverse that. If a brother (black or brown or even look black or brown) does that, all hell breaks loose and bullets are flying, and definitely tasers. I teach my kids each and everyday, do not dress like your friends, do not speak like your friends, etc. You must do that as a parent because when the cops arrest a group, guess what, the only ones walking away are the kids that look, dress and talk different and act different. Maybe not all of the time but give your kids a chance. There is a war going on, against US. Why are cops even in a strip club on tax dollars trying to arrest men who are willing to waste their money on a crack whore in the first place? Those cops should be on the street stopping the real criminals. Peace.

Name: Stephanie
Comment: A black life has never been worth anything in AmeriKKKa. We're talking NY here so this shouldn't surprise any of us...NY, Boston and Philly are three of the most racist cities I've ever seen. But after the Amadou Diallo incident, we should have seen this coming...so sad for the family...OMG...I hope they sue NYC into bankruptcy.

Name: pn2ppr
Comment: Khufu, where are you?

Name: javone77
Comment: Angel: yeah I just saw that. my bad.

Name: cookyd
Comment: Raise your hand if you are surprised by this!!!!

Name: pn2ppr
Comment: Anybody here from Charlotte or Raleigh, NC. I'm about ready to get up out of NYC and wonder how the po-po treat us down there.

Name: GHank
Comment: lucyrose>>>>I think that the issue is the 50 bullets that were fired by cops. Yes, you do see violence in allof our neighborhoods. But I do understand your point. That's part of the reason why I am so desensitized by everything.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: lucy...some punctuation marks would be helpful in reading ur posts. :) And this happened in NYC and not the south hunh? Who would've thunked?

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: lucyrose: I WHOLEHEARTLY agree with your sentiments. I stated that fact on yesterday's post about Treach and Newark. The black community NEEDS to get up in arms about these thugs that are in the neighborhoods selling drugs and guns. Get up in arms about the useless killings of one another. Get up in arms about the useless random shootings that kill an innocent bystander. But unfortunately, these THUGS are kids of the community and not many people have the balls to put their own kid behind bars. Not many people have the balls to testify against someone in the community doing these violent acts for fear of retaliatation. There is truly safety in numbers. I wish more people would stand up for their community and stop living by that INGNORANT mantra (Stop Snitching). The black community needs to listen to the older generation of grandmothers and grandfathers and STOP listening to rappers and hip hop wanna-bes. My male cousin is in jail as I type because my grandmother was NOT playing that BS when he was selling guns and drugs out of her house. The FBI came to the door, told them the evidence they had on my cousin and my grandmother told the FBI, "come in and do your job." My cousin was arrested and to this day, he thanks our grandmother for saving his life. He may face up to 25 years in prison (that is the maximum but he may God willing receive less time) but he is now getting his life in order in prison and takes it one day at a time and holds no resentment to our grandmother. The woman who raised him.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: THE JUDGE'S STATEMENTIN PARTS: Before dealing with the business at hand, I would like to remind everyone how important it is to honor the decorum of the court and remain quiet after the verdicts are rendered. A trial is defined as a formal examination of the facts of a case by a court of law to decide the validity of a charge. It is also defined in the dictionary as a hardship. and, in many ways, this trial was a hardship. But, it was not a competition. To overreact to the outcome while you are in this courtroom, whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the result, would detract from the great effort that was expended to assure a fair trial - - by the court personnel and the attorneys who handled their responsibilities with the highest level of professionalism and skill. Because establishments known as "strip clubs" often generate criminal activity including prostitution and narcotics, the Police Department club enforcement unit was given the task of infiltrating such places and pursuing violations of law that would lead toward shutting them down. So it was that the detectives charged in this case found themselves in the vicinity of Club Kalua in the early morning of November 25, 2006. And as a result of the events of that morning, they are accused of the crimes alleged in the indictment. Now, after eight weeks of trial, this court has the responsibility of making a determination of guilt or lack of guilt as to each of the charges set forth against each of the defendants. As the trier of fact, this court must determine what the facts are, apply those facts to the applicable law, and render a verdict. The court will do so. But before announcing a decision, a brief statement is in order. In weighing the evidence, the court examined the testimony of the witnesses and the factors to be considered in determining credibility.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: An objective consideration of the proof ruled out sympathy and prejudice and any other emotional response to the issues presented. The court did not view the victims or the NYPD as being on trial here. The burden of proof was on the people to prove each defendant guilty of the crimes of which he was charged, beyond a reasonable doubt. And as with all criminal cases, each defendant was presumed to be innocent. Because justification was raised as an issue, the people had the burden of proving as an element of each charged crime that each defendant was not justified. It is important to note that in analyzing what happened here, it was necessary to consider the mind-set of each defendant at the time and place of occurrence, and not the mind-set of the victims. What the victims did was more pertinent to resolving the issues of fact than what may have been in their minds. Also, carelessness and incompetence are not standards to be applied here, unless the conduct rises to the level of criminal acts, as defined by the law relating to each count charged. What happened outside the Club Kalua on November 25, 2006, and the ensuing incident that occurred around the corner on Liverpool Street are the two significant events about which proof was elicited. We instruct juries that it is expected that multiple witnesses to the same event may vary in their recounting of minor aspects of what had been observed. However, where there are significant inconsistencies related to important facts, they should be considered. Reference was made earlier to the credibility of witnesses.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: An objective consideration of the proof ruled out sympathy and prejudice and any other emotional response to the issues presented. The court did not view the victims or the NYPD as being on trial here. The burden of proof was on the people to prove each defendant guilty of the crimes of which he was charged, beyond a reasonable doubt. And as with all criminal cases, each defendant was presumed to be innocent. Because justification was raised as an issue, the people had the burden of proving as an element of each charged crime that each defendant was not justified. It is important to note that in analyzing what happened here, it was necessary to consider the mind-set of each defendant at the time and place of occurrence, and not the mind-set of the victims. What the victims did was more pertinent to resolving the issues of fact than what may have been in their minds. Also, carelessness and incompetence are not standards to be applied here, unless the conduct rises to the level of criminal acts, as defined by the law relating to each count charged. What happened outside the Club Kalua on November 25, 2006, and the ensuing incident that occurred around the corner on Liverpool Street are the two significant events about which proof was elicited. We instruct juries that it is expected that multiple witnesses to the same event may vary in their recounting of minor aspects of what had been observed. However, where there are significant inconsistencies related to important facts, they should be considered. Reference was made earlier to the credibility of witnesses.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: Defendant Isnora approached the Nissan Altima into which Mr. Guzman and Sean Bell, two of the more active participants in the heated exchange, entered. The Altima, which was driven by Mr. Bell, sped away from its parked position, struck defendant Isnora and collided head on with the police van that had entered Liverpool Street. The Altima then went into reverse, backed up on to the sidewalk, struck a gate and then went forward and to the right, striking the police van again. As this was happening, defendant Isnora -- who testified in the grand jury --observed mr. Guzman, the front passenger, move his body as if he were reaching for a weapon. defendant Isnora yelled, "gun" and fired. Other officers, indicted and unindicted, joined in from different locations on the street. The court has found that the incident lasted just seconds. The officers responded to perceived criminal conduct; the unfortunate consequences of their conduct were tragic.The police response with respect to each defendant was not proved to be criminal, i.e. beyond a reasonable doubt. Questions of carelessness and incompetence must be left to other forums. Although there were aspects of defense testimony that were not necessarily credible, the focus must be on the people's proof to determine whether they have satisfied their burden of proving the defendants guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To the extent that the defense of justification was applicable to the charged crimes, counts 1, 2, 3, 4 in part, 5 in part, 6, 7, and 8, the people have not proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that each defendant was not justified in the actions that each took.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Remember that when it happened..one of the officers emptied and reloaded his gun. And this wasn't in the "racist south?" Imagine that.

Name: NYCsoul
Comment: Those who live in the NYC like myself is not surprised one bit by this verdict. I am waiting patiently to hear what the Governor and the state senator has to say to this travesty. The Bell family should sue for every penny that the NYPD and city has. It's absurd and it's this mentality that encourages cops to abuse their power because they know they will get away with it. I don't know if the Feds will step in but something needs to be done. That judge in the case should hang his head in shame, talking about 'the cops version was more creditable'. How the hell do you justify shooting a man 50 times, 31 times from ONE COP?!

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: With respect to counts 4 and 5, Trent Benefield, whose credibility was seriously impeached, testified that he was shot while running down Liverpool Street forensic evidence demonstrated otherwise. Thus, although the justification defense would not have applied to that aspect of counts 4 and 5, it was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, the court finds each defendant not guilty of each of the respective counts in the indictment of which they were charged. THE END OF THE JUDGE'S STATEMENT

Name: NYCsoul
Comment: musd> The deep south has been up north for decades.

Name: oldsoul
Comment: I agree with a lot that has been said, especially 'queenie' and GHank and some others. The sad thing is that this continues to happen (quite frankly, on the regular - news = no news), and under the guise of falsely believing that we're "free" we too often put ourselves in these positions. As of today, I think the Black (and to a degree, the Brown) community needs to swallow our pride-- we, as a whole, are still enslalved MENTALLY...point blank. I don't want be too long but it's our personal right and responsibility to un-do what was done directly to our ancestors and indirectly to those living today. For real folk, there is no "American Dream"-there is no "free-dom(dumb)"-there is no "equality" in this country and in many parts of the imperialized world. Those labels are indeed an essential part of 'The System' (the matrix, the plan to rule the world by a few)...and The System, again, is a carefully, strategically thought-out plan used to program ALL people-- Black people are simply the main target because the unseen ones that are behind this know the Truth and facts of the matter and understand that Africa and the global extension of Africa (Diaspora) are the root, foundation of this Earth un-civilized-ation. TBC...

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: NYC..odds are...all parties involved are native nykr's..which doesn't have a lot (if nething) to do w/the South. It's an East Coast (supposedly so much better than the south) thing. BTW, I'll correct my original one. One officer emptied, reloaded, emptied, AND reloaded his gun AGAIN.

Name: GHank
Comment: New York City is one (if not the most polarized) places in the US. You got sections and neighborhoods that simply don't like each other. Crown Heights, Bed Stuy, Howard Beach....Bensonhurst, you name it. I just read earlier this week that some Jewish klan beat up a young black male for going through their neigborhood.

Name: Winn30344
Comment: My prayers to the Bell family; this hurts; really hurts.

Name: TGen
Comment: I wonder if the "good" Senator from New York will have anything to say about this. *Holding breath*

Name: oldsoul
Comment: ...[cont'] My point is this: how long are WE going to continue to be delusional about what and where we live [in]? I used the word "free-dom" but that's not the same as Being Free. See, when you start to uncover ALL of the lies that are taught beginning in kindergarten, before that even, and on up, you start to actually see things clearly...most of the stuff that had been downloaded on/in to us got in the way of what was/is already there, perfectly. It's moreso a process of re-membering than learning. Only then can we re-gain control of our minds by getting in-tune with our spirit...and most of our spirits have been drowned out by foolish-ness, e.g., an execessive preoccupation with cars-clothes-houses-keeping up with the Jones'-excessive drug use of any kind- and the little voice in EVERYONE's head/mind that runs non-stop about nothing [no thing] (aka Ego). Hey, there's so much more I could say but I'm no preacher and I feel I've said enough but I just really, really, really want us to realize that things are not as they appear in this world. Like McNasty said, "Just Us" (sic)...well, she's rigth and it goes deeper than that-- Just Us is Us All. For an eyeopener, check out this link and do more research if need be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: NYCSoul>Hey there! Just heard Commissioner Kelly on radio saying they're "holding off on disciplinary investigation until the FEDS say if they will get involved." This is the time for the family to get a big civil verdict for carelessnes,recklessness, etc.. And for a person to reload a gun and continue shooting, what does that tell you? No stopping to %*$ess the situation. They were the only ones shooting and it's a wonder neither of them was shot. The family is on their way to the HOJ now for the conference @1pm.

Name: AngieBee
Comment: I heard this when I was listening to Tom Joyner's Show this morning and I am still shocked. I told my co-worker that there's going to be a riot because this keeps happening to "us". What more evidence is needed before they would rule guility? This is scary. Forty years after the %*$assination of Dr. Martin Luther King and some things have not stopped. They have changed the way they are done by hiding behind the "law" but our people are still fair game for hunting. This breaks my heart.

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: Bad_Kitty>>Yes! Shoot to KILL a Black man.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: The feds had better step into this real quick.

Name: EJBL
Comment: The life of a african american man or female, means nothing in the USA!!!

Name: Teigh
Comment: Okay, here's my opinion and after reading the posts...it's not going to be popular but here goes: I have mutual friends that know one of the attorneys that defended one of the cops...brilliant lawyer (african american and one of Harlem's finest). He took tremendous heat for defending the cop but this is a brotha who turned down the offer to defend one of the cops who shot Diallo. When all this jumped off most folks swore there was not a fourth man. There was a fourth man, he was not in the "Bell" entourage" but there was a fourth man. He was the only man who got up on the stand and gave the exact same testimony that he gave the grand jury. All the other's gave conflicting statements each time they spoke. The two who survived, have extensive criminal records. One has shot a few people, and they both have countless convictions and have served jail time for drugs both posession and selling within feet of an elementary school . Does that in itself have anything to do with what happened that night? Depends on your perspective and how you live. Here's my thing. We all get grace at various times in our lives. Grace is something you get when you know you don't deserve it. But all of us eventually have to account for how we live. The two defendents who lived pretty much beat the justice system for much of their adult lives. Was there ever any remorse for the families of the people who got turned out by the drugs they sold? the kids they sold it around? the damage they did to the community in which they live? or the people they shot? When faced with the same situation in reverse, only this time it's your love one, or home boy, etc. and the other side "seemingly got off" (and they didn't cause it's not over) how do you say it's no justice or to put it another way "no more grace". I say the universe thought it was time for Guzman and Benefield to get out the grace line. In all that grace they were given, they did not change their behavior. Unfortunately a man is dead because of men posturing outside a strip club. As as the attorney for one of the cops said, he took the case to defend him (the cop) because he believed the "victims" (Sean Bell & Company) were so drunk (and they were) that when the cops approached the car, they (Sean Bell & friends) more than likely thought it was the dude they were arguing with around the corner minutes earlier. When you get past color, the police, black justice or injustice it's plausible that that's exactly what could have happened....And with a criminal case, all the defendant (in this case the cops)need to establish is reasonable doubt. When the prosecutor acknowledges in closing arguments that he could not vouch for his witnesses, then what was he saying about the case he presented to prosecute the cops? That it was weak -- and if you followed HOW it was presented, one would have to agree that it is. That's just my opinion.

Name: Calidee
Comment: I work in HR for the gov. It is common off the record knowledge that some (emphasis on some) Cops are crazy.

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: Teigh: Thanks for your post. It is a different spin on the case. In all reality, no one gets away and karma is a byotch and WILL catch up to you sooner or later. The bible tells you that. I just have a problem with the police always shooting black men/black youths to KILL them. Why didn't the police shoot out the tires as someone above mentioned (to at the very least stop the car, get their attention... and make sure badges are seen)?

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: We have to stand when things like this happen. Too many peole stay in their comfort zones expecting others to be on the front. The HASSIDIC's come out in full force whenever anything happens to one of their own and the world listens. We are a force to be reckoned with but we have to stand together. I am so full of rage right now that I want to do harm. Being passive is not one of my qualities when it comes to something like this. I'm from the old school. I do take to the rally's when they call on us, I do travel to Albany to rally for our housing rights, I do help with the voting registrations. I can't let talk and no action take place on my watch. WE have to let them know where WE stand. Else this shyte is going to continue.>>>>>STEPHANIE>>My new email is blackdiamond10026@yahoo.com

Name: PBF_19
Comment: This such a sad situation but i'm not surprised. NYPD has been getting away with brutality for years most of it is never televised. I live in Queens and pray that there won't be a riot that is definitely not the answer but i understand the anger. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, BLACK PEOPLE WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR ONE ANOTHER!

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: But GHANK Black men shouldn't have to live like that. They should be able (not allowed) to hang wherever they want. As long as they not violating, it's a given right. Everyone can't afford more upscale places or it's just a preference.

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: Don't know your statons, but Sharpton is having the conference now. Online try wabc

Name: Closet_Nerd_Girl
Comment: Al Sharpton is on CNN right now.

Name: lucyrose
Comment: Sorry for the run on sentence king and queens, I’m at work had to get it out quick. It hurts so much to hear of the so much death everyday thanks kitty, I wish your brother the best and God bless your grandmother. I understand about people not wanting to put their kid in jail or the kids in the community, but that’s what happens when you make bad choices. My sister’s been in out of group homes and jail since 11 years old she still trying to get her life right she is 40 …… Herbs I’m from the Bronx I was there when Eleanor Bumpers, Abmer Louima and Amadou Diaollo was shot and had that plunger (well you know) I think it happens more in the south, but as you can see it happens any and every where. Nothing ever happens to the police when %*$! like this is done this is not the first… will not be the last…. We as a people have to get our %*$! together before we can get together with any other race, there can be no black and white unity unless there is black unity we have NO UNITY

Name: blackdiamondleo
Comment: Sharpton call it "An Abortion of Justice" because they used the victims criminal backgrounds against them, where it had nothing to do with the case. He'll be signing up people for nonviolence civil disobedience rally's tomorrow. They will be assigned locations. I hope to be there. >>>>The officers are speaking now on the news.

Name: Closet_Nerd_Girl
Comment: Al said "this was not a miscarriage on justice. This was an ABORTION of justice." He's calling for a non-violent protest and for an economic protest. I'm with Al on this one, permed hair and all. This is a GOT DAYUM shame. There is no way you can tell me that unloading your weapon, taking the time to RELOAD, then unloading it again on ONE unarmed man is justified. That's the SAME scenario that got the Menendez brothers put in prison (they RELOADED while shooting their parents.) But I guess it's OK to unload and reload on a black man. This is some STRAIGHT bullshyt. I'm and so upset right now I can't even think straight. We need to pray that the folks up there don't start rioting.

Name: TGen
Comment: I need to do more homework, but Teigh, your post does not sway me one bit. Your "grace vs karma" spiel is your OPINION. The facts are one person was shot FIFTY times by three people. Even if dude was in a car, does it take FIFTY shots to realize someone is not shooting back at you? Does it take FIFTY bullets to make him more dead? Wth? I just don't see how there can be any justification whatsoever. Yes, reputation, prior behavior, all that plays a role. But at its core, this is about ONE person who got shot FIFTY times by THREE people. I can't say that enough. Say that out loud to yourself. Feel that little knot in your stomach when you say it? That's your compass telling you "something ain't right," and all the "priors" in the world won't make it right.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: I'm still trying to figure out what does one's criminal background have to do with being gunned down unarmed.

Name: Dean32
Comment: This is truly sad again. But for all the New Yorkers, write Hillary and request an investigation of this case.

Name: Teigh
Comment: In my OPINION if Guzman and Benefield would have got up there and told the TRUTH, then there testimony would have had some CREDIBILITY. They did not tell the truth, unfortunately the prosecution did NOT BELIEVE THEIR OWN WITNESSES AND ADMITTED IT. I'm not saying 50 shots was justified because it wasn't. THIS CASE IS NOT OVER BY ANY MEANS. Isnorna (the cop that was hit by Sean Bell's vehicle) pants were embedded into to bumper of the vehicle so much so that his skin was also on embedded into the bumper. The car was also used as a weapon by the victims just as much as the guns were used. But at the criminal level and the WAY THE LAW WORKS...the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt criminal intent using their own witnesses. The Fed's have already acknowledged that they are looking into this case. It's evident that Police procedures also need to change. Truth is, that club was under investigation by the undercover unit that investigates NYC nightlife. Truth is, they needed one more violation against that club in order to legally %*$! it down permanently. That night was the last night they had to get that violation. Were they too agressive? Obviously an undercover officer is not supposed to approach anybody and in this case they did. Point being mistakes were made all around. Dude who started the beef outside the club got on the stand and just said anything. If you followed HOW the case was presented and WHO they used to present, it was obvious that the prosecution either rushed to throw something out there or that they were not honest with Dean Bell's family from the beginning about what they could reasonably expect under the circumstances...and lastly if Guzman and Benefield truly wanted justice, they would have had enough faith in the truth about what happened to tell it when they got on the stand and they did not.

Name: Teigh
Comment: and Guzman shows up in court wearing t-shirts that read "Sean Bell's Boys?" Dude is one arrogant something and just doesn't get it....let that man rest in peace and stop using his name in vain because if Sean Bell was truly his boy he would have gotten on that stand and represented truth not arrogance. The credibility went out the window when Guzman and Benefield took the stand. They have to live with that.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Teigh, those are interesting thought about the two victims, the lawyer and your mutual friends. However, it doesn't really satisfy shooting 50 x's. Did the officers know about their criminal history when they began shooting? Did they know they were jailed for posession? IMO that's irrelevant to them emptying, reloading, emptying, and reloading again....completely irrelevant. What your pov offers is the idea that "because they were criminals...that's why it happened." The men posturing didn't kill Bell..and officer did. It makes no sense to suggest such. It happened because over the top officers abused their authority and a man died. It happened because there was no weapon found..despite the officer's accounts. You ask about faith? Sean Bell's family may have had faith in the system and you see how it served them well. This somewhat reminds me of the Sean Taylor death when people started talking about "if he wasn't blah blah blah" he would be alive. Please! He's dead because of gunshot wounds inflicted by rogue cops.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: @ Teigh, what did they lie about?

Name: katgrrrl
Comment: Southern, that "bringin' up old stuff" ain't nuthin' new. Back in 2000, Guiliani tried that mess when an undercover cop shot Patrick Dorismond to death. Guilian brought up some old stuff that happened when Dorismond was 13 y.o.! Turns out it was only a fistfight. The undercover cop was the one Guili SHOULDA been checkin' on (shot a neighbors dog, used his service revolver in a bar fight and was accused of domestic violence by his wife.)

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Wearing a t-shirt that reads "Sean Bell's Boys" makes you arrogant? I've heard it all.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: Now I'm trying to figure how wearing a t-shirt that reads "Sean Bell's Boys" make them arrogant.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: @ Teigh, I suspect that you're employed in the legal profession.

Name: Stephanie
Comment: BlackDiamondLeo, you got mail. Teigh, your points really make sense and the whole thing was just completely unfortunate...

Name: jazzfan
Comment: Will this country EVER value the life of a Black male?

Name: Teigh
Comment: Guzman lied when he gave a dying account of talking to Sean Bell. He allegeded that they both said "I love you" before Sean Bell died. A bullet tore through his Sean bell's chords rendering that version impossible. How credible can one be if when you get on the stand you get caught in lie after lie after lie and then erupt in anger and arrogance on the witness stand when you got caught lying. When the fifth man (I incorrectly posted fourth earlier) was found and put on the stand he acknowledged the witnessing the dude in the SUV agruing with Bell with Guzman mentioning a gun, he acknowledged dropping $60 worth of weed in his posession and that he fled the scene. Point is, fifth man didn't lie -- he told the same story over and over and over. When you lie you have to remember the lie you told over and over and over. Guzman couldn't do it and neither could Benefield. I guess they forgot that in the hospital they gave statements that were recorded. Their interviews were recroded. The court could bring charges against them for lying on the witness stand -- they probably won't because IT IS A TRAGEDY ALL AROUND. but if you "my boy","my man", "my girl", "my homie" or whatever the term of endearment is -- so much so that you can "wear it" than D A M N be man enough (or women enough) that WHEN IT COUNTS -- BE IT! And again they did not. It's not about what I do, or what or whose "side" I'm on -- I'm about the truth. But law is a practice, facts are presented, and it's the Jury (or in this case) a judge who decides based on the evidence presented...which facts were truths. So whoever best presents their facts to the entity that decides has the best shot of winning. Point law (or medicine) is not exact. I thought Oliver, the cop who shot and reloaded would get convicted. I knew, after Guzman and Benefield got caught up and choked on the witness stand (because they did) that everyone would walk IN THIS ROUND OF PROCEEDINGS. And sadly no one is holding their (Guzman & Benefield's) performance accountable.

Name: McNasty
Comment: Nightshift you're no more a defeatist than I am and I am no more delusional than any black person could be when the police are involved. I don't care what color all of them were - when a black man dons a police uniform and stands along side them they take on the same mentality as the white ones. Now how they justify it when they get home is beyond me cause for damn sure I wouldn't want to be the woman hearing the explanation after I hear the story on the 6 o'clock news!

Name: Teigh
Comment: but in our hood fifth man would be called a "snitch" or as the new Sean John Tshirt reads "Bit%ha$$ness"... When we start being accountable to ourselves is when we can expect others to be accountable to us! Most of us WEAR anything yet BE nothing! A man is dead over stupidness, and everyone involved(not just the police) had a hand in his death.

Name: McNasty
Comment: Bad_Kitty I know EQUALITY has not much to do with us - but that won't stop me from wanting, expecting, working for it.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: @ jazzfan, probably not in our lifetime.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: New Yorkers save your stamp b/c Billary ain't doing shyt. You wanna make a difference sign up for Rev. Sharpton's boycott.

Name: beegirl
Comment: And Wesley Snipes gets sentenced to three years! Apparently, tax evasion is more serious than stealing the life of an unarmed man from his fiance and his children.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: From CNN "Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement saying, "An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son. No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffer." Well, at least the mayor makes sense.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: and I'm still confused about how wearing a t-shirt makes you arrogant? Sounds like a spoken prejudice if you ask me. The truth is that Sean Bell is dead after being fired at 50 x's. The judges decision did/will not change that. If Guzman and Benefield were not being held accountable for their performances, then why were the murderers convicted? Sounds like accountability was decided in court...if you ask me.

Name: YLawdY
Comment: I'm drunk, my boys just had words with someone and I see a dude posted up in front of my car in the early morning hours dressed just like me, my first thought is not going to be "Gee that's an undercover cop. Let me stop and see what he wants. Oh, the undercover cop is drawing a weapon. Oh my, I better hurry up and stop before he shoots my black azz for trying to escape." Was the car a "weapon" or the most expedient way of getting away from a suspect situation.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: jazzfan,southernbelle: Well, maybe there's hope! When a Black man is running this country, maybe, now just maybe,it can be put on the table for some serious...review! We have to keep in mind, WE are who YT fears the most!! It's the combination of...insecurity & GUILT that fuel their hatred!! When shyt like THIS happens,to keep my sanity, I always have to remind myself that...if WE (Black People) weren't "the shyt"!! They WOULDN'T be so damn....THREATENED!! There also so afraid of what could happen if we get on "equal footing" in this country!! Like, you know, we might "F" around & REMEMBER some shyt they SHOULD PAY FOR!! One!!!

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: McNasty: Absolutely. I live my life as though I am an equal (because in God's eye, I am) and I stand up for my rights (I had to write a letter to the Corporate office and manager of the local office in Stamford, CT of Baby GAP (yes the clothing store) when I was followed around while shopping there on my lunch hour. Unfortunately, not too many of US do such things therefore, we are treated as we allow others to treat us. We as a people HAVE to stand up for ourselves and each other no matter how small (writing letters to Corp. offices when followed while shopping) or how BIG ( police brutality or thugs in our neighnborhood). If we don't try to make a change once incident and one person at a time, things will always remain the same.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: the only people who had a hand in his death were the murderers who killed him. The idea that people will stop killing us when we stop killing ourselves is...is just...how can I put it...it's just....just.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Sorry!....That should've been..."they're"!! ( now where's that typing class!!???) lol!

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: musbdherbs: You ain't NEVER lied!!! The reason they do what they do to us, ain't got a DAMN thing to do ANYTHING we do!! It's their own.....BIGOTRY!!!

Name: Bad_Kitty
Comment: Taurusingr: You said a mouthful there! We ARE the SHYT and everyone knows it!!! I just wish WE could collectively realize that so we can get our internal shyt (black on black crime, the sports over education mentality, babies having babies, etc.) together. Once the internal shyt is together, the external (police brutality, losing jobs to more qualified applicants, racial profiling of all kinds, not frequenting black owned businesses, etc.) won't have a leg to stand on because WE would back each other like the Jews do.

Name: Teigh
Comment: For the record...I DID NOT SAY MUSBDHERBS "The idea that people will stop killing us when we stop killing ourselves is just..." YOU DID! and really you're letting your emotions cause you to put word in my mouth. I spoke about ACCOUNTABILITY not killing. Oliver needs to be held accountable for emptying his gun and reloading THE SAME WAY Guzman and Benefield need to be held accountable for the lies they told in the name of seeking justice (and $50 million). We don't agree Mus but if you're going to say I posted something...then post what I WROTE..not how YOU INTERPRETED WHAT I WROTE. There is a big difference between the two.

Name: Southernbelle
Comment: I wonder if they were college students with no record would it make a difference? Hell no!!! A jury outside N.O. just acquitted a few bouncers from a club who killed an unarmed black guy and he was a college student. He too was a "threat".

Name: lilmocc
Comment: Taurus> You better say it! You know that is right. They are afraid of us, but wanna be us at the same time. We are the SHYT, hands down. They have always known it.

Name: Teigh
Comment: Fact is ALL of them were probably drunk (Guzman, Benefield, Bell, Isnora, Oliver and Cooper) and ALL of them paniced. Truth is only Cooper (in the end) showed any remorse about anything. In that situation whether you are the law or the person stoped by the law -- you have about 6 seconds to make a decision. In this case, ALL OF THEM MADE BAD DECISIONS.

Name: lilmocc
Comment: I'm still trippin' how Mike Vick and company are doing from 6 months to 2 years in the feds for fighting DOGS and these bastid NYPD cops get away with killing multiple Black people. That folks, is AmeriKKKa at its finest.

Name: lilmocc
Comment: I just heard the officer's statements on the verdict and only ONE expressed any remorse and expressed condolences to the Bell Family. The other 2 made NO MENTION whatsoever about this young man who lost his life. I'm sure they have families, how do they think Sean Bell's small children feel that they won't see their Daddy ever again or may not even remember him very well when they get older. This whole shat has me hella pizzed.

Name: Teigh
Comment: I wonder if they (Benefield and Guzman) had told the truth...that they were drinking and smoking weed and had just had an agrument with a dude and that they felt threatened...and when the man approached the car and did not identify himself, they thought their lives were endangered. GEE NOW WOULD THAT STORY MAKE THE UNDERCOVER COPS LOOK RECKLESS? Cause if you are an undercover cop you have NO BUSINESS APPROACHING ANYBODY! There was no reason to lie!

Name: TGen
Comment: YLawdY, I can't co-sign your post enough. Succinct and to the point. You just shut the whole thing down. Teigh, I still don't see how those "lies" from the witnesses would justify an acquital. Your argumet is fractured--making NO sense. I'm amazed anyone can defend this verdict.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: In the words of Teddy Riley.....yep, YEP!! This kind of GROSS NEGLIGENCE on the part of the "justice" system, should be brought b4 the Supreme Court & OVER TURNED!!! How were they only facing a sentence LIKE THAT in the 1st damn place!! See, to YT, whenthey give these cops "administrative leave" (& still get paid. mind you!!), they're reeeeeally just giving them a f'n....reward & vacation for what THEY consider...A JOB WELL DONE!! One!

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: I think I'm gonna design a f'n t-shirt. On the front it will read....All "N's" ain't Black! And on the back it will read...You figure it out!! What yall think!!???

Name: javone77
Comment: Hey taurus! I stated that same thing earlier. That I think with a black man in office maybe there can be an increased light shone on this BS. Off topic...thanks for your congrats on the other thread :)

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Teigh, you are correct. That was my interpretation of your remarks. I don't believe I said that those were YOUR words. If you are going to lash out about me misqouting you...deal w/what I did say..which is that I don't see how wearing a T-shirt makes you arrogant. Yes Oliver should be held accountable but he is NOT. Guzman AND Benefield ARE being held accountable unless I'm reading the story wrong. "Fact is 'ALL' of them were 'probably' drunk (Guzman, Benefield, Bell, Isnora, Oliver and Cooper) and 'ALL' of them paniced," no longer sounds like a fact. It sounds like your 'interpretation' of events based on limited information. All of them may have made bad decisions. The murderers on the other side of the guns resulted in his death. Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman made bad decisions. I don't know what caliber weapon was used. But, it takes much longer than 6 seconds to 'decide' to empty, reload, empty AND reload a gun.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Bad_Kitty:...I know sista, I know!!! But that Willie Lynch shyt is hard as hell for some to ...de-program themselves from!! Most don't even realize they are practicing it, when they are!! But I, WE, have to PRAY & BELIEVE we WILL wake up & be who we really ARE, And how we should really BE!!!

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: javone77: You're sincerely welcome! I also answered your question on the other page!! sml! Back to this thou: I have to believe that "O" WILL address these issues when he gets in office!! He just can't even "smell" like he has these kind of issues on his mind now, YT would reeeeeally go ape shyt!! lol!! We think they lost their minds on that J.Wright sermon???...Sheeeeeeeaaatttt!! lol!!

Name: Big10
Comment: White people want to go crazy about boycotting the olympics because of China's human rights atrocities, this shows that we have human rights issues right here. Wouldn't it be nice if an athlete got on the podium after winning a gold medal and spoke out about the human rights problems in our own country? Oh I forgot, "massa Nike" won't like that.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Big10: Yep! That would %*$! off massa! But, it's gonna take THAT kind of...bold,honest,fearless character (like those brothas in the 60's had!!) to make that move & not give a "F"!! You know!!??? One!

Name: lovebites
Comment: Taurusingr can i have a shirt? This just show us that they hate us they fear us and they want to kill us. Listen and read this and understand this. Not all yt people are like this but most.

Name: Teigh
Comment: I'm not defending the verdict. THE PROSECUTION DIDN'T EVEN DEFEND THE CASE THEY PRESENTED AGAINST THE COPS..Where is the outrage about that!!! This was a criminal case where the prosecution needed to present a case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt...when the prosecution does not vouch it's your witnesses and the judge had to decide a case based upon the law...I understand why the all got off when clearly Oliver should have at least been convicted of lesser charges. Now when this case gets presented at the civil and federal level, the rules are different and the outcome will be different.

Name: Teigh
Comment: Mus> if the fact that the officers were also drunk (at some level)is not the truth then why did the law change and now police officers have to submit to tests if a similar situation occurs when they did not have to before? The union and their representation agreed to change the rule but did not have to address sobriety for this specific case because the law (at that time) states that they did not have to.

Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: at the end of the day, the man is still dead and police have gotten away with murder

Name: Teigh
Comment: Instead of designing a tshirt why can't we all just BE who and what a Tshirt say's we are. Why does someone need to read it on your chest? And does reading something on someone's chest make it believeable?

Name: Teigh
Comment: and Mus fact (and truth) is...you don't know what "limited information" I had (or have) access to.........

Name: 2ndChance
Comment: i'm not surprised. i'm tired or rallies myself but hopefully this will help the community channel their emotions. i'm assuming they are too desensitized to riot anyway. oh and the stop snitching movement and the catch phrase of the moment "%*$!(assness" are not one in the same. please, don't put that out there.

Name: realuvbaby
Comment: There needs to be a law on the books defining 50 shots as excessive. I'm trying to figure out Oliver: at what point did he realize that Sean wasn't shooting back. Was this before or after he reloaded? Good night people, and the best thing about this whole thing is that if we ever had any doubt, now we KNOW what time it is. If we ever find ourselves on the other side, we see what can potentially happen. Brothers, be careful out there, and my sistas, too.

Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Teigh, unless you are part of the prosecution, defense, or the judge himself, any information you have WILL be limited. THAT is just a fact. People should be able to wear whatever shirt they place w/o it being considered arrogant. I wear Justice League T-shirts. I don't believe I'm a superhero.

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Teigh:...The shirt wouldn't be for US!! The shirt would be to inform/remind OTHERS that WE are not the only ones derserving of ....that phase! (in the ORIGINAL sense of the word!!) Ok!? One!

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Teigh: P.S....All of us ARE NOT "N's"!! There are some Black people who are...And there are the rest of us ( whom I believe OUTNUMBER the others.... GREATLY, but YT will never admit it!!) who are not & NEVER WILL BE "N's"!! That's the whole point, To bring some awareness to the fact that....the "justice" system in this country,some blacks, A WHOLE LOT OF WHITES & others!!, hell,this COUNTRY!! are all GUILTY of being..."N's"!!! That's the biz!! One!

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: Teigh:....To break it down fuuuuuutha, The T-shirt would be for US to WEAR! But the MESSAGE ON IT, would be for ....the others in & outside of our community, who ain't up on it, & NEVER EVEN THOUGHT about it!!! E.I....Chris Rock's joke/statement!! That's what's up!!

Name: javone77
Comment: Taurus you and I are SO on the sAME PAGE TODAY!!! That's that Taurus thang going right there lol someone asked me why barack wasn;t talking about this stuff and I aid...he has to appeal to a wide audience right now lol he can;t come up talking bout "That's F** d up the way ya;ll doing my peeps" LOL he gotta ease into this joint lol

Name: Taurusingr
Comment: javone77:....right, right!! And how some CAN'T see that, is kinda "scary!"..in it's self!! You know!?? Damn!! People puuuuuuuuleeeeezze!! Waaaaake Uuuuup!

Name: bullcity73
Comment: Let see, it's black on black killings. Where are these hoodlums mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers? Many know their children and grandchildren are doing things that are wrong, but they look the other way or are afraid of these savages. There should be a national out cry by the Congressional Black Caucus, Black Mayors, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Iota Phi Theta, Grove Phi Grove, Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars, HBCU Alumni Associations, the black Mega Church Ministers, black Hollywood, and black radio stations across this country to get together on a national movement to address the crisis of black on black homicides. If not, the black man will become extinct in the United States or end up in prison. As I see it, the black community is in serious trouble.

Name: bullcity73
Comment: On the issue of these young man in NYC being shot at 50 times, I am in shock by their actions. It doesn't take 50 bullets to kill one human being. For those who are suggesting this man deserved to be shot at 50 times are heartless. I don't think, it would take 50 bullets to kill the Frankenstein monster. 50 bullets is too much to shoot at one person who's a mortal, not some supernatural being like Frankenstein, Freddy Krueger, Jason, or Dracula. Shame, shame, shame! How is shooting at someone 50 times justifiable? You reap what you sow in this life and God will have the last say in his judgement on these people involved.

Name: SilentJay
Comment: The tragic irony is if 400 years ago if Bell's ancestor had been shot the person or person's who shot him would have been in big trouble because the killed a slave. That slave life have value beacaue of the free labor he would have done other span of his life aswell as any offspring he would have sired to be made slaves. Now 400 years later Bell's life your life and my life are far less valuable because we're not slaves. That's all I have to say

Name: javone77
Comment: Taurus you are so crazy lol Bullcity: that's what I told a friend of mine. 50 bullets?!?!? you can kill a doggone gorilla with less than 50 bullets!!! smh

Name: kblackelegance
Comment: I know everyone is gone home, but I do agree with some points that Teigh brings to the fore front. I have a problem that his friends weren't better prepared for the proceedings and trial questions. I knew it wasn't going well when they showed Guzman exploding on the witness stand. And Benefield acting like he was annoyed and not interested in answering questions. It just seems like they weren't prepared to face this or to win a conviction. I don't know about Wearing of the t-shirts being arrogant, but it is ignorant not knowing how you should present yourself when you enter a court room and you're the victim! ! ! ! ! ! Something is very wrong there. And look what happened they used their prior convictions against them, which I thought was illegal, and it had no bearing on the case at hand, but it worked in the defense favor. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm with one of the posters who said we have to stand up and shut this city down in the peaceful manner of course. I do believe we are a mighty force to be reckoned with, but some where along the way we've lost the passion and drive for equality and justice. I wonder how the fed's are going to look at this case. It's really not over.

Name: Grace12_34
Comment: I know everyone has gone home too, but just for the record, I want to say that Teigh hit the nail on the head 100%. That attitude of Guzman's makes me believe that he DID in fact want to go get a weapon which discreetly DISAPPEARED from the scene. Sean Bell's blood is also on HIS hands. What a shame someone so young and about to start a new life was killed because he was hanging out with known felons. What a shame that a loser like Joseph Guzman will profit from the death of Sean Bell.

Name: MOTHERSHIP
Comment: If you kill a cop, you get the death penalty or life in jail. Cops kill an innocent brother, they go free. But the thing is that we go along with this system. They have you folk conditioned to go along with this bullshyt. They gave Wesley Snipes' three years for not paying taxes?! He don't have to. Ain't a Black man in America have no business paying taxes. Period! If y'all stop having this "go along with the program" and start thinking for yourselves and understanding your history, you won't be duped. Those laws were written by them, for them to justify keeping your azzes in line!! When it comes to them and they'll use it to justify them. Wake up, people, stop going along and believing these in the laws that were written against you that they have you conditioned to follow. In the meanwhile, I'm going to work with Rev. Al and the other community leaders with devising a strategy for shutting this city down and letting them know, not this time.

Name: Teigh
Comment: Sad thing is...what I do believe about Guzman...is on that night he did NOT have a gun. But making the threat of having one is what set off a whole chain of events that caused his "boy" to get murdered by the police.

Name: Sigmatherunner
Comment: The only thing Guzman had that night was a big mouth.

Name: kblackelegance
Comment: Again I think everyone has gone home for the weekend. But I must inform those of us that read this site. I was just listening to Open Line on Kiss FM and they were stating that after the verdict and the march and the visit to the cemetery (sp?) When the Parent and Nicole got home they had messages of crank calls from various police stations and the Police Benvelence (sp?) Society. The callers were laughing! ! ! ! ! How stupid/ignorant/and over the top is that in the age of caller ID! ! ! ! I was gagging! ! ! ! ! They said Sean Bell's Father Called the number back, and told them what happened and you know what they said to him. "Sir we'll have to open up an investigation into this matter" WTF is that?!?!?!?! And these are the jack %*$es that are patrolling our streets and killing our sons! ! ! ! ! ! I say stop shopping and watch a city go hungry and out of business. We are the economy in this country. Stop shopping and Watch the power of the black Dollar, put people out of business, and make others go hungry! ! ! ! STOP SHOPPING! ! ! ! I know its not much, but its a damn start! ! ! ! !

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