NYC Settles Police Shooting Lawsuit for $7 Million

NYC Settles Police Shooting Lawsuit for $7 Million

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The city of New York has agreed to pay more than $7 million to settle a civil lawsuit stemming from the fatal 50-bullet police shooting of an unarmed man on his wedding day.

The settlement filed in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday pays $3.25 million to the estate of Sean Bell, who was killed in 2006 outside a strip club in Queens while leaving his bachelor party. As part of the settlement, the city agreed to pay $3 million to Joseph Guzman and $900,000 to Trent Benefield, both of whom were wounded in the shooting that killed their friend.

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Well, it is nice that there was some payment agreed to; however, it would have been better had there been no police shooting at all. There is a woman who was made a widow before she was even able to be married. Irregardless of whether she is one in the real sense, she was in love with him and hours from marrying him, so her grief is no different from someone hours after who just walked down the aisle.

I believe that he left behind a young son at the time if I'm thinking of the right case. If so then that's a little boy who will grow up without a father.

Hopefully his family has had some healing at least in these past years.


www.aolnews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

So how many officers went to jail? None.

How many were fired? None.

"Three police officers were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges in 2008. Federal authorities in February declined to bring civil rights charges against them.

The officers remain on modified duty and are facing departmental charges that could result in their dismissal."

[edit on 28-7-2010 by DJM8507]

Originally posted by DJM8507
So how many officers went to jail? None.

How many were fired? None.

"Three police officers were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges in 2008. Federal authorities in February declined to bring civil rights charges against them.

The officers remain on modified duty and are facing departmental charges that could result in their dismissal."

Yes, but is that really surprising?? These people often get away with stuff in the line of duty.