On the second day of testimony in the trial of three of the five detectives involved in the fatal wedding-day shooting of Sean Bell more than a year ago, a former dancer told the court that the officers did not identify themselves as police before opening fire.
Marseilles Payne, 32, who performed as “Trini Wright,” described in graphic detail on Tuesday, February 26 how Bell’s body was pulled from the Nissan Altima, prompting his widow to break down and his parents to leave the courtroom.
The non-jury trial for indicted Detectives Gescard Isnora, who fired 11 times; Michael Oliver, who fired 31 times, including the fatal shot; and Marc Cooper, who fired his weapon four times on November 25, 2006 outside the Club Kalua in Jamaica, began on Monday, February 25 amid heightened security and protests of nearly 100 people outside the Queens Supreme Court.
Nicole Paultre-Bell, who was to wed the victim the very day he was killed, was first to take the stand as a witness of the prosecution.
The mother of Bell’s children, Jada, 5 and Jordyn, 1, who took his name legally after his death, recalled how the pair had met in high school.
Then, weeping, she told of how the last time she saw her 23-year-old groom-to-be was in the morgue.
Assistant District Attorney Charles Testagrossa plans to proceed with the prosecution by disproving Isnora’s claim that he pulled out his police shield and gun and identified himself as an officer that fateful night.
Prosecutors also depicted the cops’ undercover sting at the Club Kalua as “verging on incompetence,” according to published reports.
Testagrossa took aim at Oliver, too, saying he should have “paused to reassess,” according to reports.
Defense attorneys, meanwhile, will try to prove that the officers believed that Bell and his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield - both of whom were injured in the fray - were armed and drunk. In previous testimony, Isnora has said he heard Guzman say, “Yo, get my gun,” leading the detective to believe he was armed.
A gun was never recovered. Authorities say that Bell’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, according to reports.
On day two of the trial, there was a marked absence of protesters outside the courthouse, as only about a handful showed up.
Inside, a Club Kalua bartender testified that she served Bell at least one drink the night he was killed.
Bell’s father William also told the courtroom that he went to the club that night, at his son’s insistence.
It was Isnora who fired the first round in the subsequent storm of bullets that followed when Bell drove toward him, clipping the detective in the leg before striking a minivan carrying Detective Michael Oliver, 35 and Police Officer Michael Carey, 26.
Isnora has said he began shooting because he believed his life was in imminent danger as Bell next reversed his car to jump the sidewalk before switching gears and hitting the minivan again.
Oliver and Carey fired on the Altima after Isnora started shooting and were joined by Detectives Marc Cooper, 39, and Paul Headley, 35, who were nearby in an unmarked car.
Both Isnora and Oliver, who face up to 25 years in prison, have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges. Cooper, who may face a year in jail if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment.
Court proceedings resume Thursday, February 28, when Lt. Gerard Napoli, the detectives’ commanding officer, is scheduled to testify.
Shooting Timeline
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Detectives Gescard Isnora, Michael Oliver, Michael Carey, Marc Cooper and Paul Headley fire 50 shots during the melee outside the Kalua Cabaret in Jamaica.
Sunday, November 26
Bishop Lester Williams, pastor of the Community Church of Christ who was to have married Bell and 22-year-old Nicole Paultre at 5 p.m. the prior evening, instead leads a service to mourn Bell’s passing.
Friday, December 1
Bishop Williams officiates at Bell’s funeral at the Community Church of Christ. Despite the pouring rain, the church fills to overflowing with loudspeakers broadcasting the service to mourners outside.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Sean Bell’s mother, Valerie, announces 50-day vigil outside the 103rd Precinct.
Monday, January 22
The 23-member Queens grand jury begins hearing evidence to determine whether any of the five officers who opened fire on Bell’s car will face criminal charges.
Friday, March 16
The grand jury finishes its deliberations. Although its decision was not officially released by the district attorney’s office until Monday, March 19, news quickly spreads that the jury has returned three indictments in the case. Oliver and Isnora were charged with manslaughter and Cooper with reckless endangerment.
Friday, September 7
State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman rejected a defense motion to dismiss charges against officers Oliver, Isnora and Cooper.
Wednesday, November 14
A Queens judge delays the beginning of the trials until February of 2008 to give the defense more time to prepare for the case.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Trial begins.
- Compiled by Pete Davis
