Sean Bell, his former fiancée Nicole Paultre Bell, and their daughter
The Sean Bell shooting incident took place in the New York City borough of Queens which could have led to 25 years in jail, Detectives Marc Cooper, Gescard Isnora and Michael Oliver went home free men April 25, acquitted of all wrongdoing in a court of law. But the three faced internal charges back at work yesterday, according to New York's Daily News. Each man was accused of firing his weapon outside of NYPD departmental guidelines - a serious offense that could result in an ousting from the force. In addition, Isnora was charged with violating NYPD vice protocols by taking action as an undercover.
The cops infamously fired 50 bullets, killing Bell and injuring two of his friends on Nov. 25, 2006 right outside a Queens strip club, the Kalua Cabaret, where the guys had been celebrating.
The barrage of bullets began after Isnora followed the three men to their car in the parking lot. The officers were doing an undercover sting operation at the business.
It's not just the three cops who are taking the bullet. Seven law officials in all have been charged, though earlier reports put the number at eight.
Lt. Gary Napoli, the detectives' former commanding officer whom prosecutors have called incompetent, is also under fire. Though not charged in court, he was charged by the NYPD for not preparing an adequate tactical plan before he sent his undercover officers into action.
Officer Michael Carey actually shot at Bell but wasn't indicted and was charged by the NYPD with violating departmental rules in discharging a weapon.
Two crime scene detectives, Sgt. Huey McNeil and Detective Robin Knapp, were accused of compromising the crime scene. Knapp was hit with failure to process the scene correctly and McNeil with failing to supervise the processing of the scene correctly.
Another cop, Paul Headley, also shot at Bell but escaped both criminal and departmental charges. Earlier reports said Headley was charged by the NYPD, but according to his lawyer Bruce Wenger, he was not.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been vocal about the verdict - leading a citywide march earlier this week - issued a statement saying, he feels the charges are "a step in right direction," but he wants the officers involved axed without a drawn out internal procedure. Sharpton cited a recent incident in Philadelphia in which there were no fatalities, but four officers were fired and others disciplined for their actions.
"I strongly believe that the Police Commissioner should fire the officers in the Sean Bell case pursuant to civil service laws," Sharpton said.
For now, Oliver, Isnora and Cooper remain without guns or badges - relegated to modified duty. According to Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, the department is waiting until the feds complete their investigation before moving forward with internal action.
