Sean Bell’s Fiancée Files Suit Against NYC Cops
From Staff & Wire Services
Posted July 25, 2007 – Five New York City cops hired to serve and protect are finding themselves on the other side of the law. Nicole Paultre-Bell, whose fiancé Sean, was shot more than 50 times by officers on the day they were to be husband and wife has filed a lawsuit against the officers, the NYPD and the city of New York.
The 23-year-old Bell was killed on the eve of their wedding, after officers opened fire on him and two friends in front of a Queens strip club, where they were attending his bachelor party.
The suit alleges the officers involved were reckless and poorly trained.
From Staff & Wire Services
Posted July 25, 2007 – Five New York City cops hired to serve and protect are finding themselves on the other side of the law. Nicole Paultre-Bell, whose fiancé Sean, was shot more than 50 times by officers on the day they were to be husband and wife has filed a lawsuit against the officers, the NYPD and the city of New York.
The 23-year-old Bell was killed on the eve of their wedding, after officers opened fire on him and two friends in front of a Queens strip club, where they were attending his bachelor party.
The suit alleges the officers involved were reckless and poorly trained.
Bell's two friends, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman, who were also wounded in the shooting outside the Kalua Cabaret after they had left Bell's bachelor's party are joining Paultre-Bell in the suit, which also includes Bell's children Jada and Jordyn as plaintiffs.
Sanford Rubenstein, the attorney who represents Paultre-Bell and her fiancée’s two friends, said the civil case will not be pursued in earnest until the ongoing criminal case against the officers has been resolved, CNN reports.
The suit seeks unspecified damages against the officers for negligence, recklessness and civil rights violations.
The criminal case is back in court Sept. 7, at which time Rubenstein said he expects a trial date to be set.
According to police union officials and defense lawyers, the undercover officers believed Bell and his friends were headed to his car to retrieve a gun, with one of the officers approaching the men after they reached a gray Nissan Altima.
The car lurched forward and bumped officer Gescard Isnora before twice slamming into an unmarked police minivan, police said. Isnora, through his attorney, said he pulled his gun and identified himself as a police officer before spotting one of the men inside the car making a suspicious move.
In March, officers Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora were indicted for manslaughter, while officer Marc Cooper was charged with reckless endangerment; all pleaded not guilty in the Nov. 25 shooting. Officers Paul Headley and Michael Carey were named in the civil suit although they escaped criminal charges.
The day of Bell's death Isnora reportedly unloaded 11 shots, Cooper fired four times and Oliver fired 31 shots – including the one that killed Bell.
Sanford Rubenstein, the attorney who represents Paultre-Bell and her fiancée’s two friends, said the civil case will not be pursued in earnest until the ongoing criminal case against the officers has been resolved, CNN reports.
The suit seeks unspecified damages against the officers for negligence, recklessness and civil rights violations.
The criminal case is back in court Sept. 7, at which time Rubenstein said he expects a trial date to be set.
According to police union officials and defense lawyers, the undercover officers believed Bell and his friends were headed to his car to retrieve a gun, with one of the officers approaching the men after they reached a gray Nissan Altima.
The car lurched forward and bumped officer Gescard Isnora before twice slamming into an unmarked police minivan, police said. Isnora, through his attorney, said he pulled his gun and identified himself as a police officer before spotting one of the men inside the car making a suspicious move.
In March, officers Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora were indicted for manslaughter, while officer Marc Cooper was charged with reckless endangerment; all pleaded not guilty in the Nov. 25 shooting. Officers Paul Headley and Michael Carey were named in the civil suit although they escaped criminal charges.
The day of Bell's death Isnora reportedly unloaded 11 shots, Cooper fired four times and Oliver fired 31 shots – including the one that killed Bell.
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