Apr 10, 2008 8:22 pm US/Eastern
Last-Ditch Effort By Defense In Bell Case Thwarted
Assistant D.A. Erupts: 'The Rules Are For Everyone!'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The trial for the three detectives charged in the killing Sean Bell enters its last phase as both the prosecution and the defense rested their respective cases Thursday morning, with all evidence submitted to the judge.
CBS
The trial of the three detectives charged with killing Sean Bell is close to an end. Closing arguments are set for Monday.
On Thursday there was a last-ditch attempt by the defense to have the case thrown out, but that brought the prosecutor to his feet in protest.
Everyone arrived this morning knowing things were near the end. Lawyers for the accused detectives made a desperate attempt at getting the case thrown out.
"Throughout the entire prosecution's case -- they really haven't proven anything," said Michael Palladino, head of the detectives' union.
But speaking about what happened outside the Club Kalua that November night with a passion that many observers think has been missing from the district attorney's side of the courtroom, assistant D.A. John Castellano shouted that police could not be treated differently than the average person.
"The rules are for everyone!" he said. "And that's what this case is about! The rules are for everyone!"
The judge took about eight seconds to dismiss the detectives' motion, and ordered closing arguments to start Monday morning.
This may be one of the last times these detectives and their supporters walk in or out of this courthouse, and already things have changed. The anxiety level is higher; the tension is higher because everything is on the line.
Guilt or innocence, and soon, we'll find out.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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