NEW YORK (AP) -- Quotes from key figures in the criminal case of three NYPD detectives acquitted in the 50-shot killing of an unarmed man on his wedding day:
``There are no winners in a trial like this. An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son. No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffer. Judge Cooperman's responsibility, however, was to decide the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. America is a nation of laws, and though not everyone will agree with the verdicts and opinions issued by the courts, we accept their authority.'' New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
``Obviously, there are some people who are disappointed with the verdict. ... We don't anticipate violence, but we are prepared for any contingency.'' Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly
``Judge Cooperman discharged his responsibilities fairly and conscientiously under the law and I accept his verdict. ... While the criminal proceedings have now been concluded, the public debate that has been ignited ... has raised important issues about current law enforcement practices and police-community relations -- issues that require careful examination. ... It is clear that more needs to be done. The trial evidence ... revealed significant deficiencies in ... supervision, tactical planning, communications and management accountability -- insufficiencies that need to be addressed.'' Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who prosecuted the case.
``The Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney's Office have been monitoring the state's prosecution of this case and, following the review of all the evidence, will take appropriate action if the evidence indicates a prosecutable violation of federal criminal civil rights statutes.'' U.S. Attorney's Office.
``Today we're grateful that this court ruled on the evidence presented in this case. But with this case, there's no winners, there's no losers. We still have a death that occurred. We still have police officers that have to live with the fact that there was a death involved in their case. ... It's a tragedy for all police officers who have to live with the difficult job we do but nevertheless we're grateful for this outcome.'' Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick J. Lynch.
``I'd like to say sorry to the Bell family for the tragedy. ... I'd like to thank the Lord my savior.'' Officer Marc Cooper.
``This verdict is one round down, but the fight is far from over. ... What we saw in court today was not a miscarriage of justice. Justice didn't miscarry. This was an abortion of justice ... We are going to close the city down in a nonviolent, effective way.'' the Rev. Al Sharpton.
``We ask people to be calm as they protest, if that's what they choose to do. ... On the same token, though, we ask police to be calm as people protest. ... We have not heard what these men did that caused police to act as though they were America's most wanted, yet still we hear a verdict of not guilty. We will go to the next level, whatever that might be, to seek justice.'' Leroy Gadsden, president of the Jamaica, Queens, branch of the NAACP.
``Today's verdict should be bitterly disappointing to every New Yorker of goodwill. Justice Arthur Cooperman's decision clearly points the finger at the lackluster case presented by the Queens district attorney's office and it is also an indictment of New York City Police Department procedure, with respect to training and management. ... We must demand that federal authorities bring a civil rights prosecution of these officers and to begin an investigation into the NYPD's training procedures and culture.'' New York City Councilman Leroy Comrie, who represents the southeast Queens neighborhood where the shooting occurred.
``An ugly pattern is emerging in New York. This was a massacre, this was not a shootout. And the U.S. attorney general must give America the assurance that we all have equal protection under the law. This is a travesty of justice today, but it is a pattern that deserves attention.'' the Rev. Jesse Jackson, speaking from Chicago.
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