Three New York police detectives were acquitted Friday in the shooting death of a bridegroom-to-be, who died in a hail of 50 bullets fired by the officers outside a Queens strip club in 2006, according to DPA. The acquittal triggered a small mob riot outside the Queens' courtroom by people who questioned the not-guilty verdict by the jury following two years of legal wrangling. The three detectives fired at Sean Bell, who was 23 years old in 2006 and was three weeks away from his wedding date. Bell was unarmed. The jury cleared officers Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper of all counts for firing a total of 50 bullets at Bell and a vehicle used by him. The detectives were charged with manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly called for calm, acknowledging that the verdict had disappointed some people, including Bell's relatives. Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement, saying that the city would not accept violence or law-breaking behaviour.
