Is the Hip Hop Industry Dirtier Than the Dope Game?

UPDATE: COPS WHERE PUNISHED BUT WAS IT ENOUGH?!

Two New York Police Department detectives surrendered Monday in the killing of an unarmed groom on his wedding day, and face a charge that would require jail time if they are convicted.

The eight-count indictment charges Detectives Michael Oliver, who fired 31 times, and Gerard Isnora, a decorated undercover who fired 11 bullets, with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the death of bridegroom Sean Bell, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said at a news conference.

First-degree manslaughter is classified as a violent felony with mandated jail time if the officers are convicted. The maximum punishment is 25 years, Brown said. Second-degree manslaughter gives a judge discretion to sentence a defendant to probation.

Detective Marc Cooper, who fired four shots, faces a misdemeanor endangerment charge in connection with the November incident.

“This case, at its best, is a return to grief for all of those involved,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who held a press conference while flanked by the wounded men and the dead man’s fiance.

All three officers surrendered around 7 a.m. to the NYPD’s Bureau of Internal Affairs, then were whisked to the Queens court complex in black vehicles. A phalanx of plainclothes law enforcers and family members surrounded them as they were rushed into the building for fingerprinting and processing.

They were to be arraigned on Monday afternoon.

“This grand jury acted in the most responsible and conscientious fashion,” said Brown. “This was a case that was, I’m sure, not easy for them to resolve.” Brown said he would oppose any attempts to move the trial out of Queens. “This is where public opinion is equally divided, in my opinion. The jury should be representative of the diversity of this county.” The case has renewed allegations that the NYPD is too trigger-happy, and sparked protests by activists who say the department is too quick to judge black men harshly, a claim city officials deny.

Bell was black, as are the two bachelor party guests who were severely wounded, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield. Cooper, 39, and Isnora, 28, are also black; Oliver, 35, is white.

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Posted by Dr.Drew on Monday, March 19, 2007 at Monday, March 19, 2007
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