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Fiancée: 'They Killed Sean All Over Again'

Bell's sweetheart says justice system failed after NYPD shooting

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 26, 2008 1:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sean Bell’s fiancé spoke out today, condemning the court for acquitting the men who shot her husband. “The justice system let me down,” Nicole Paultre Bell said. “April 25, 2008: They killed Sean all over again.” In her first public comments since yesterday’s verdict, Paultre Bell vowed to fight for another decision in the case, while Al Sharpton threatened to “shut the city down.”

Sharpton complained that the trial should be decided by jury, not a judge, and promised a storm of civil disobedience. Sean Bell was shot on his wedding day in 2006 by police who said he had a gun; he turned out to be unarmed. The judge acquitted all three officers on all counts, saying the prosecution witnesses’ confused testimony and prior convictions discredited them.

Nicole Paultre Bell, center, leaves the courtroom in tears  with the Rev. Al Sharpton, right, Friday, April 25, 2008 at State Supreme Court in the Queens borough of New York.
Nicole Paultre Bell, center, leaves the courtroom in tears with the Rev. Al Sharpton, right, Friday, April 25, 2008 at State Supreme Court in the Queens borough of New York.   (AP Photo/ Julia Xanthos, Pool)
Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiance of Sean Bell, holds photos of her children outside the Queens County Courthouse in New York, N.Y.  Monday, April 14, 2008.
Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiance of Sean Bell, holds photos of her children outside the Queens County Courthouse in New York, N.Y. Monday, April 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiancee of shooting victim Sean Bell, speaks to reporters during a news conference on the steps of City Hall, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in New York.
Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiancee of shooting victim Sean Bell, speaks to reporters during a news conference on the steps of City Hall, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jin Lee)
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