Sean Bell Trial (club, racism, Lebanese)

[njkate]

They chose trial by judge due to all the publicity thought it would be hard to find an impartial jury. Don't know if they ever considered a change in venue.

Judging from some of the news articles especially in that rag the NY Daily news it was a wise choice. The papers were crucifing Oliver IMO the stories were totally biased against him

[Rudbeckia]

Originally Posted by njkate

They chose trial by judge due to all the publicity thought it would be hard to find an impartial jury. Don't know if they ever considered a change in venue.

Judging from some of the news articles especially in that rag the NY Daily news it was a wise choice. The papers were crucifing Oliver IMO the stories were totally biased against him

Oliver is the one that looks white, do you think that's why he is taking it worst in the media? Such a sad tragedy, I feel so sorry for Bell's family.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

Oliver is the one that looks white, do you think that's why he is taking it worst in the media? Such a sad tragedy, I feel so sorry for Bell's family.

Don't know. I did read that was the first time he ever fired his gun.

Yes, I to feel for Bell's family and think alcohol, the bachelor party partying may have been a factor in miss communication

[BK2Westchester]

[quote=NooYowkur81;3570601][quote=BK2Westchester;3570543]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

Well the Lebanese guy would be considered White by most people. He looks Greek or Italian.

if he was the one who initially apporached them in the street I would agree. Was that the case?

If one of the black officers approached them without immediately identifying himself it would make sense that they would try to bolt.

As a side-note:

The whole culture of urban "hood star" has long since turned against black and hispanic youth as well as "wiggers". When a large proportion of criminals in any confined area look and act similar and is then mimmicked by youth who may actually be decent law-abiding citizens, the end result is often tragic. Cops have the unfortunate task of trying to determine whether we are a threat within seconds as a matter of life and death.

How do I (as a hispanic man) do my best to avoid this? I don't dress and talk like I just came out of prison and I don't make empty threats regarding acts of violence.

If you parade around the hood like a criminal you will be be treated like a criminal, even if you are not one.

I know this sounds racists but it is what it is.

[drkman]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

Oliver is the one that looks white, do you think that's why he is taking it worst in the media? Such a sad tragedy, I feel so sorry for Bell's family.

No he's taking it worse because he fired 31 shots and his attitude before and during the trail. I was reading yesterday how the other cops expressed some kind of remorse since they realized that this was a tragedy and these guys were innocent but Oliver has not shown any remorse, at least according to Sean Bell's parents.

[NooYowkur81]

I never saw this case in particular as a race thing, although some have tried to make it into that.

[BK2Westchester]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

I never saw this case in particular as a race thing, although some have tried to make it into that.

It IS a race issue, just not the Rev. Al Sharpton type.

It a race thing, its a culture things, it's a pride thing, its a MAN thing.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by drkman

No he's taking it worse because he fired 31 shots and his attitude before and during the trail. I was reading yesterday how the other cops expressed some kind of remorse since they realized that this was a tragedy and these guys were innocent but Oliver has not shown any remorse, at least according to Sean Bell's parents.

When the charges first came out, I remember the news showing him going out to dinner and etc. I think those images stayed in people's heads. It made him look bad.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by BK2Westchester

It IS a race issue, just not the Rev. Al Sharpton type.

It a race thing, its a culture things, it's a pride thing, its a MAN thing.

Yeah but in that list race is probably the least important or relevant, would you agree?

[drkman]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

When the charges first came out, I remember the news showing him going out to dinner and etc. I think those images stayed in people's heads. It made him look bad.

That is true. Those images have been implanted in the minds of people. Not because of him having dinner out but the impression was that he was celebrating and that did not look good.