Sean Bell trial begins with anger and tears

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Sean Bell was portrayed as the victim of trigger-happy cops - and attacked as a provocative "drunk" who brought tragedy on himself - as the so-called 50-shot trial opened Monday with protests, prayer and passion.

"The story of how this tragedy occurred is a tale of carelessness," Queens prosecutor Charles Testagrossa said, referring to Detectives Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper, whose deadly barrage felled Bell on his wedding day.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/02/25/2008-02-25_sean_bell_trial_begins_with_anger_and_te.html


Pole dancer tells Bell court: No one said 'Police'

Kalua dancer says man she saw open fire on Bell car didn't identify himself

Testifying through tears, a former pole dancer insisted Tuesday the gunman who suddenly opened fire on Sean Bell's car never identified himself as a cop.

"He was standing in front of the minivan with the door open," Marseilles Payne testified in Queens Supreme Court. "I saw the fire, like three times. Then I turned and I ran."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/02/27/2008-02-27_kalua_dancer_says_man_she_saw_open_fire_.html