Mar 17, 2007 7:09 pm US/Mountain
Source: 50-Shots Cops Won't Face Murder Charges
NEW YORK (AP) ―
Two police officers face charges of manslaughter, and another faces a misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge for their roles in the 50-bullet barrage that killed an unarmed man on his wedding day, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
The officers were indicted yesterday. A person who spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity says Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora, who fired 31 and 11 shots respectively, are facing felony manslaughter charges. The person says Marc Cooper, who fired four shots, faced the misdemeanor endangerment charge.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the indictment is sealed.
Prosecutors won't speak about the grand jury's work and said its findings will be unsealed Monday. Lawyers for the three officers say the defendants have been asked to surrender then for arraignment, and proclaim their innocence.
The decision came nearly four months after the gunfire that killed Sean Bell and wounded Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman. The shooting led to angry protests and raised questions about police tactics.
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