Apr 23, 2008 1:39 pm US/Eastern
Judge To Explain Ruling In Sean Bell Trial Verdict
Arthur Cooperman To Announce Decision Friday Morning
Rev. Sharpton Asks Public For 'Calm' Regardless Of Outcome
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Judge Arthur Cooperman of the Queens Supreme Court will not only announce his verdict in the the trial of the three police officers involved in the Sean Bell shooting, but he will first explain his reasoning, according to the N.Y. Daily News.
Cooperman is not required to elaborate on his verdict, but it is something this particular judge has done in the past. He's expected to give his ruling on Friday at 9 a.m.
Detectives Gescard Isnora, Marc Cooper and Michael Oliver decided to let a judge and not a jury decide their fate at the start of the eight week trial.
Oliver and Isnora face up to 25 years behind bars on charges of manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment if convicted.
Cooper faces only a year if found guilty on the reckless endangerment charge.
So far, the judge has given no hint which way he's leaning.
As of Wednesday, the NYPD was downplaying reports that 1,000 officers would be deployed outside the Queens courthouse when the verdict is announced.
A police department spokesman said they are "always ready for any eventuality."
Officers are also reportedly being put on standby near the strip club where police fired 50 shots, killing Bell just hours before his wedding.
Wednesday morning, Reverend Sharpton addressed the media, along with Bell's fiancée and father. Before Sharpton turned his attention to the cameras, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was leaving City Hall, when he stopped to exchange a few words with Sharpton and the Bell family.
Also with Sharpton on the steps of City Hall were the two survivors of that 50-shot barrage, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield. But perhaps the most heartfelt words were said by Nicole Bell:
"Nothing will ever bring Sean back, but hopefully, I pray, the right decision will be made on Friday. This will prevent any other family from suffering the way we have."
Sharpton followed her words with some of his own, putting the city on notice:
"We believe New York has gotten better, we'll see on Friday morning."
He then asked the public to maintain "calm" regardless of the verdict announced on Friday, saying that any troublemakers wouldn't be acting on the behalf of the Bell family.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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