Shades of Diallo: Awaiting the decision
New York City is awaiting the decision by a criminal grand jury on whether or not it will be issuing indictments against any of the five New York City Police Department officers involved in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell which took place in Queens last Nov. 25. The decision of whether to indict or not indict was expected to be released on Wednesday, but could be delayed at least one day, according to a Newday article.
News of Bell decision may lag
After the grand jury reaches its decision, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown will hold a news conference. The grand jury has been deliberating since early this morning after the 23 members received instructions from the prosecution. Charges under consideration by the grand jury include second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide in connection with Bell's death and attempted murder, assault or reckless endangerment in connection with the injuries of his two friends.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent the day in Queens urging calm in the wake of the grand jury's decision and to work to improve police-community relations which became more strained after five police officers opened fire at Bell's car, after he and two of his friends had left a stag party. Raids in Queens by police officers that took place after the shooting purportedly to find an alleged man with a gun inflamed the situation further. That search came up empty.
(excerpt)
"No matter how much we reduce crime, if the community feels disrespected, then we do really have a lot of work to do," Bloomberg said earlier.
Bell was shot after undercover detective, Gescard Isnora approached one of his friends. The police department said that Isnora had overheard one of them say he was leaving to get his gun. Isnora then said he had issued an order that Bell ignored before he tried to drive off.
Isnora and Det. Mike Oliver together shot 42 out of the 50 shots that were fired at Bell's car.
Bell's friends said that they had feared that the plainclothed men with guns were trying to do a carjacking of Bell's vehicle.
The NYPD is anticipating demonstrations and rallies in the wake of the grand jury's decision. Bishop Lester Williams who oversaw Bell's funeral rather than his wedding said that the community needed to remain calm.
(excerpt)
"We don't want violence," he said. Bell's "mother has clearly stated that she doesn't want any other sons or mothers to have to endure what she has endured since November."
Blog Talk at the New York Times posted this about Bloomberg's appealing to the residents of Queens to remain calm after hearing the grand jury's decision. He did add that about 1,700 officers would be assigned to be on alert.
(excerpt)
“I think that this city is much different than it was in previous times, when we had people taking to the streets.”
Community activists had announced earlier that they would meet at 5 pm after the grand jury's decision was announced the day it happened or if it came on a weekend, they would hold a rally at noon the following day.
Rev. Al Sharpton in an Associated Press article said that he expected there to be some demonstrations if indictments were not issued but that they would be peaceful.
(excerpt)
"Rather than worry if there's going to be violence, I would think they'd be worried about the violence that already occurred," he said in an interview. "Fifty shots is about as violent as you can get."
Earlier articles on grand jury proceedings:
Gothamist: Witnesses testify before grand jury
Gothamist: Grand jury receives evidence
News of Bell decision may lag
After the grand jury reaches its decision, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown will hold a news conference. The grand jury has been deliberating since early this morning after the 23 members received instructions from the prosecution. Charges under consideration by the grand jury include second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide in connection with Bell's death and attempted murder, assault or reckless endangerment in connection with the injuries of his two friends.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent the day in Queens urging calm in the wake of the grand jury's decision and to work to improve police-community relations which became more strained after five police officers opened fire at Bell's car, after he and two of his friends had left a stag party. Raids in Queens by police officers that took place after the shooting purportedly to find an alleged man with a gun inflamed the situation further. That search came up empty.
(excerpt)
"No matter how much we reduce crime, if the community feels disrespected, then we do really have a lot of work to do," Bloomberg said earlier.
Bell was shot after undercover detective, Gescard Isnora approached one of his friends. The police department said that Isnora had overheard one of them say he was leaving to get his gun. Isnora then said he had issued an order that Bell ignored before he tried to drive off.
Isnora and Det. Mike Oliver together shot 42 out of the 50 shots that were fired at Bell's car.
Bell's friends said that they had feared that the plainclothed men with guns were trying to do a carjacking of Bell's vehicle.
The NYPD is anticipating demonstrations and rallies in the wake of the grand jury's decision. Bishop Lester Williams who oversaw Bell's funeral rather than his wedding said that the community needed to remain calm.
(excerpt)
"We don't want violence," he said. Bell's "mother has clearly stated that she doesn't want any other sons or mothers to have to endure what she has endured since November."
Blog Talk at the New York Times posted this about Bloomberg's appealing to the residents of Queens to remain calm after hearing the grand jury's decision. He did add that about 1,700 officers would be assigned to be on alert.
(excerpt)
“I think that this city is much different than it was in previous times, when we had people taking to the streets.”
Community activists had announced earlier that they would meet at 5 pm after the grand jury's decision was announced the day it happened or if it came on a weekend, they would hold a rally at noon the following day.
Rev. Al Sharpton in an Associated Press article said that he expected there to be some demonstrations if indictments were not issued but that they would be peaceful.
(excerpt)
"Rather than worry if there's going to be violence, I would think they'd be worried about the violence that already occurred," he said in an interview. "Fifty shots is about as violent as you can get."
Earlier articles on grand jury proceedings:
Gothamist: Witnesses testify before grand jury
Gothamist: Grand jury receives evidence
Labels: officer-involved shootings
posted by Five Before Midnight | 2:40 PM
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