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Most New Yorkers Apalled With Bell Verdict

NEW YORK (CBS) ― A day after a judge acquitted the police detectives who killed the unarmed 23-year-old and wounded two of his friends the morning of his wedding, New Yorkers have had time to reflect.

What has come to be called 'The Sean Bell Verdict' -- actually, the verdict of the three officers charged with shooting him -- even a day later -- has stirred thought and debate from neighborhood to neighborhood.

While protesters have made their views clear, even the ordinary New Yorkers who aren't marching down the streets of Harlem held similar views.

"I was shocked," said. Melinda Jones. I don't think the verdict was fair."

"It's just covered up," feels Elisheva Laurie. "They protect their own - a lot of people are suffering."

"All of us were looking for the best, but I guess we knew what was coming," added Jeffery Hayes.

There are many parts of Harlem, where brownstones flourish -- where a middle class that does not see itself as the type that goes to rallies looked at the verdict, and was disappointed.

"I think some laws should be re-examined," added Jones because that's truly not --- not the right verdict."

"If we're gonna have cops put their lives on the line, [we have to] believe in the honesty of the verdict," feels retired Manhattan assistant district attorney Arthur Hirsch.

But most New Yorkers CBS 2 spoke to remain appalled.

"There's no sense in someone putting 50 bullets in someone sitting in a car," said Margaret Beels.

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