NYC Braces for Potential Riots in Wake of Bell Verdict

Criminal Justice

NYC Braces for Potential Riots in Wake of Bell Verdict

Posted Apr 24, 2008, 09:23 am CST
By Molly McDonough

New York City police officers are on alert and won't be allowed to schedule any new vacation time over the next four days as the city braces for possible protests or rioting in the wake of the expected Sean Bell verdict.

The New York Post reports that the NYPD issued a special notice regarding the case involving two undercover detectives on trial for manslaughter and one on trial for reckless endangerment. They are accused of firing 50 shots at Bell on Nov. 25, 2006.

Police are preparing for demonstrations in Queens in the wake of an acquittal, much like those that erupted in 2000 when police were acquitted on criminal charges relating to shooting of African immigrant Amadou Diallo.