News

NEW YORK, NY April 25, 2008 —Civil rights activist Al Sharpton vows to continue his fight for the family of Sean Bell and the victims of the police shooting that took Bell's life. Speaking at his Harlem headquarters, Sharpton says he'll meet Monday with Congressman John Conyers, head of the House Judiciary Committee, to discuss a federal investigation.

SHARPTON: This verdict is one round down, but the fight is far from over.

REPORTER: Sharpton also suggested supporters conduct acts of civil disobedience on Wall Street, and outside One Police Plaza, and the home of Justice Arthur Cooperman, who acquitted the three undercover detectives of all charges. He called Cooperman's decision "an abortion of justice."

Michael Palladino, president ofthe Detectives Endowment Association, says that comment was "despicable," and called the criminal justice system "the greatest on earth." He says the shooting victims did not help the prosecution's case.

PALLADINO: "In my 28-years of policing this city I never saw a demeanor in a witness like Joseph Guzman. He was arrogant he was belligerent he was combative."

REPORTER: : The three detectives -- Gescard [jess card] Isnora, Michael Oliver, and Marc Cooper -- spoke publicly for the first time since the shooting, thanking God, the judge, and their families. Detective Cooper, who had faced the least serious charge of reckless endangerment, struggled to speak.

COOPER: I'd like to..... [sighs].... to the Bell family for the tragedy.... I'd like to thank the lord my savior.... I just started my life back.

REPORTER: The three officers face possible administrative charges that could result in their dismissals from the NYPD. They also face a possible federal civil rights lawsuit.