Nov 4, 2007 2:50 pm US/Eastern
Vigil Planned For Sean Bell Shooting Anniversary
NEW YORK (AP) ―
The family of an unarmed man killed in a barrage of 50 police bullets is planning an overnight vigil at the scene of the shooting to mark the anniversary of his death, his fiancee said.
Sean Bell was shot on Nov. 25, 2006, hours before he was set to be married. Two of his friends, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman, were seriously wounded in the shooting. The three were leaving Bell's bachelor party at a Queens strip club.
Police union officials and defense lawyers have said the undercover officers, who were investigating alleged prostitution at the club, believed Bell and his friends were getting a gun from his car.
Bell's family plans to gather at the scene of the shooting on the night before the anniversary for six hours of prayer, said his fiancee, Nicole Paultre Bell. She said the group would toll a bell at 4 a.m. _ the hour her fiance was shot _ and then march to a nearby church for a 6 a.m. service.
``It's been a year, and we're still awaiting justice,'' said Paultre Bell, who legally took her fiance's name after his death. ``That's why it's important for us to be out there that night.''
Three officers have been indicted in the case, two on manslaughter charges. Officers Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper have pleaded not guilty.
Paultre Bell has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, the New York Police Department, the indicted officers and two others who were not charged. Her lawsuit argues the officers were poorly trained and opened fire without provocation.
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