Latest News 2010 September Closure for Sean Bell’s Family

Closure for Sean Bell’s Family

Sean Bell was killed by 50 gunshots from five police officers on November 25, 2006 in New York.  He had run his Nissan Altima into a police van and struck one of the detectives in the leg before the firing began. The police believed the occupants of the Altima to be armed and felt justified at the time in their actions.

The case made mainstream news, as, along with incident itself, 23 year-old Bell was to be married that same day. Almost 4 year later, the New York Times reports, the city will now pay more than $7 million to settle the federal lawsuit filed by family and friends of Bell. Negotiations took place in the Federal District Court in Brooklyn. 

Bell's children, Jada, 7, and Jordyn, 4, from his relationship with Nicole

Paultre Bell - Bell's fiancé that has since taken his name legally but receives no settlement - will allow each $3.25 million.  The two surviving occupants of Bell's car, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, have been awarded $3 million and $900,000 respectfully.

The suit was filed in 2007 after being slowed by both state and federal governments, as well as the official police investigation. The officers were accused of wrongful death, negligence, assault and civil rights violations.

Three of the officers involved were acquitted of manslaughter and reckless endangerment.  The other two officers present, that didn't open fire, faced no criminal charges. None were federally prosecuted due to insufficient evidence. Police spokesperson, Paul Browne, said that the department would proceed with its administrative case against all officers involved.

Ms. Bell, exiting the courtroom with Bell's mother Valerie and his friend Joseph Guzman, commented, "No amount of money can provide closure, no amount of money can make up for the pain.  We'll just try and learn how to live with it and move on."

Guzman added, "I don't think a black or Hispanic man's life means much in this city."  Guzman suffers with a metal rod in his leg and four bullets still present in his body.

Sanford Rubenstein, attorney for Mr. Benefield, stated, "It's a fair and reasonable settlement." Benefield had been shot in both calves and has a rod in his left leg.

All five officers that opened fire are on modified assignments.  Temporarily, no shield or gun is allowed to be carried by Gescard Isnora, Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper, Paul Headley, Michael Carey or their supervisor that night, Gary Napoli. Two more officers, Robert Knapp and Hugh McNeil, have been internally charged due to their processing of the crime scene.

Lawyer for officer Marc Cooper, Paul Martin, said on his behalf, "He understands no amount of money can console the family of Sean Bell and Trent Benefield, and we'd hope that this action, on behalf of the city, will put some closure to the Sean Bell family and to Mr. Benefield."

Ms. Bell promises to keep pushing for passage of more police reforms to keep this from happening again to someone else. 

The police have had to change some of its policing procedures: Alcohol testing for any police involved in a shooting, and better firearms training for all officers.

If you're suffering from a personal injury/wrongful death at the hands of police, whether a result of discrimination or not, click here to locate an attorney to represent you.

Categories: Wrongful Death

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