[sinister music]
[crickets chirping]
[distant traffic noises]
[train brakes screeching]
[repeated g*nshots]
[grunting]
[g*nshots continue]
[dramatic music]
[train rumbling]
[bell ringing]
[girl] Girl, stop playing!
[girl 2] Oh, my God, we be
looking at each other all year.
-I know you've seen him.
-Uh-uh.
His name is Sean?
He's the pitcher
on the baseball team.
Girl...
he has the most perfect smile.
Perfect? Really?
Girl, oh, my God.
He's so cute to me, Tila.
-Okay, so talk to him.
-What am I supposed to say?
[Tila] I don't know, like,
"I saw you at practice,"
or something?
-Oh, my God, look.
-What?
He's right there.
[indistinct conversation]
Look... you see him?
Right there.
[Tila] Yeah, girl,
he's looking right over here.
[girl] Whoa,
he's coming this way.
Say something. Say something.
What am I supposed to say?
Tell me what to say,
tell me what to say.
-Just...
-Like, what?
[bell ringing]
See, you just missed
your chance.
Girl, I'm gonna go to class.
No, please, Tila.
Heyo, yo, yo, yo.
Um, I just wanted to stop you
and tell you I like your pants.
Say what now?
Your pants. I like 'em.
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah.
Thank you.
No problem.
[smooth music]
I'm Sean.
Nicole.
I know.
Know that.
Been checking you out.
-[Nicole] Oh, yeah?
-Yeah.
Now, you know,
maybe we can kick it sometime?
Can I get your number? Pager?
Yeah, sure. I'd love that.
[Sean] Me too.
You wanna give it to me now
or after class?
Whatever's best for you.
You know what?
I'll wait till after.
Gimme something
to look forward to.
-Cute. Okay, I gotcha.
-That's cool?
All right.
Why you gettin' all cute?
My future husband.
Oh... you buggin'.
You think I'm kidding,
but... I'm serious.
Coley.
[Nicole] Can't believe this.
-How do I look?
-You look fine.
-You like the jacket?
-Yes.
-Not doing too much, right?
-Oh, my God.
Just let me know
if I'm doing too much, just--
You look good, girl.
[Tila] Coley, he's here!
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
[chuckling]
[chill music]
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, I'm not ready yet.
["When I See U" by Fantasia]
[singer] I put your picture
On my mirror
[knocking]
I'll get it!
Uh, is Nicole here?
Can you tell her I'm here
to take her to the movies?
This is Sean?
Yeah.
If you don't want him,
I'll take him!
[chuckling]
[singer] Lay my head
On my pillow
Staring out the window
-Hey.
-Hey.
[Nicole] These are my sisters,
Korie, Shelby.
Just ignore them.
You ready?
Of course.
[singer] Baby, we might
Yeah
[chorus] Never know
When you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
[cashier] Enjoy the movie.
[Sean] Thank you.
Date, you know?
Movie, popcorn, mmm!
[cashier laughs]
So what you wanna keep working
at the South Street Diner for?
Hope that we get enough tips
to catch a bus every night?
[Nicole] Thank you.
Oh, my gosh.
[groaning]
It's-it's good.
I'll go get some more.
I'm sorry.
You good, you good.
["All My Life" by K-Ci & Jojo]
I will never
Find another lover
Sweeter than you
Sweeter than you
And I will never
Find another lover
More precious than you
More precious than you
Girl you are
Close to me
You're like my mother
Close to me
You're like my father
Close to me
You're like my sister
Close to me
You're like my brother
And you are the only one
My everything
And for you this song I sing
All my life
I prayed
For someone like you
And I thank God
That I
That I finally found you
All my life
I prayed
For someone like you
And I hope that you
Feel the same way too
[birds chirping]
[Nicole] You just
eating it up, huh?
Hey, Jada, why don't you put
your plate in the sink?
[baby coos]
All that fussing earlier
for no reason.
Mommy, can I go color
in my room?
Sure, love.
Ah, that's my girl.
That's mommy's girl.
[dialing tones]
[phone ringing]
-Mm-hmm.
-[Sean] Hey, baby.
Hey, love. Where are you?
You've been out
for two hours already.
[Sean] I'm sorry, baby,
I've been at my mom's crib.
Mmm, can you come home soon?
Jordyn was being
so fussy earlier,
but now she's asleep.
Don't forget,
we still have to get
the sneakers for Jada.
[Sean] Nah, for sure. Whenever.
Just gimme a beat.
-Okay.
-[woman giggling]
Who was that?
[Sean] Uh, nobody.
Just my mom's friend.
Hey, look, babe,
I gotta go, okay?
I see you later, aight?
-All right.
-[Sean] Bye.
Mmm-hmm, a sleepy baby.
[birds chirping]
[Sean] You are a cutie,
aren't you, mama?
You're already so strong, huh?
You'll be my little
softball player, huh?
Huh, mama?
-Wouldn't it be something, huh?
-Here, I'll put her to sleep.
Come on, Sean. It's already time
for you to head out for work.
Oh, but it's already
so hard to leave.
[Nicole] Been hard to get home
these days too, huh?
Wait, baby,
I thought we had trust.
We do.
Well, you're not
hiding something
and I know it because
you never come home
from your mom's without food.
[sweet music]
Okay, Jordy, I need
to talk to your mommy, huh?
So, we gonna go to bed, okay?
[kissing noises]
Let's go, come on, mama.
All right.
Little chunky baby,
you the chunky baby.
Chunky like I was
when I was a baby.
[indistinct dialogue]
[deep sigh]
[deep sigh]
Thank you for everything.
For-for believing in me.
For loving me.
For just being patient.
Okay?
I'm serious,
and I know that...
[sighs]
that along with the girls
and work,
that sh*t ain't easy, yo.
[sensitive music]
But you make it look easy.
And we can only go up
from here.
-Baby, I love you.
-I love you, too.
But... talk to me.
What's going on?
[deep sigh]
Man.
Baby, what's wrong?
Um...
We getting married.
Cute. Nice talk.
What?
No, I'm serious.
You always wanted to get
married November 23rd, right?
Our anniversary.
Yeah, but instead...
we get married November 25th,
'cause it's a Saturday.
Sean, stop blowing me,
for real, it's cruel.
I wouldn't do that
to you, Coley.
Look, I arranged everything.
Look, my mom's pastor's
gonna marry us.
Shelby and Korie,
they did the invitations today
while I was at your mom's crib.
Yeah, this sh*t is for real, yo.
Look, I wanted to surprise you,
but... damn, I mean...
it's hard hiding things
from you.
-Gimme a second.
-Give you a second?
-Gimme a second.
-For what?
-Let's see.
-Oh, you don't believe me?
Sean, you play so much.
[dialing phone]
[phone ringing]
Shelby.
[Shelby] What is good, Coley?
[Nicole] Did Sean
plan our wedding?
[Shelby] I have no idea
what you're talking about.
I told her, Shelby.
[Shelby] Yes, Coley,
it's happening!
We gotta get you a dress!
Wait, so, I'm-I'm for real
getting married in three weeks?
[Shelby] Yes, girl--
Yes, you're getting married
in three weeks.
[Shelby] The venue,
the flowers, everything.
Don't believe your husband?
[Nicole] I'll call you back.
We're getting married?
-I love you so much.
-I love you, too.
I'm gonna me Mrs. Nicole Bell.
-Love that.
-I love you.
[kissing noises]
["With You" by Ghost Kid]
I could bet on me
[Nicole] Korie!
Okay, this is a little
surprising coming from you.
You got a little spice in you.
[laughter]
[Shelby] Are you serious?
This is cute.
-Some cuffs in there, too?
-Yes, it's all--
I shoulda, I shoulda got
some cuffs, right?
[laughter]
-All right.
-Wow, okay!
["Go Crazy" by Young Jeezy]
They play the new Jeezy
All the dope boys
boys go crazy
Now watch the dope boys
go crazy
Pop your collar
then you swing your chain
All the gangstas in the street
They be doing their thang
Hey
Buy 18 the hard way
And have a homebody n*gga
Thinkin' about gunplay
Now who the f*ck wanna play
[thunderclap]
[crickets chirping]
Nicole. Nicole, babe.
Wake up. wake up.
Listen, something's happened
to Sean.
Wait, what?
Something's happened
to Sean, come on.
Come on, I need you
to get up, okay?
Come on.
Kaheem didn't say anything else?
-No.
-Is he with him?
Was it an accident?
I--he didn't way anything.
I don't know.
Mount Chapel Hospital.
[tires screeching]
[sirens in distance]
Hey, do you know
if there's a Sean Bell here?
I'm his fianc, Nicole Paultre.
Just a moment.
He is here though, right?
I know he's in Queens,
I'm not sure what hospital.
I wanna make sure he's here.
Just hold on.
[man] I can take
your information.
You know where Sean Bell is?
Got ID?
Yeah.
Nicole Paultre, I'm his wife.
Oh, you mean wife or wifey?
Can you just tell me something?
-Now, what's going on?
-Just wait here.
Hey, can we just
go through now, please?
Hey, did you find anything
on the computer?
[receptionist] Someone will
be back to help you shortly.
Do you know how long?
How long?
[receptionist] I don't,
I'm sorry.
[machines beeping]
[reporter] Three people are dead
and two others are hurt
following a sh**ting--
Kaheem! Kaheem!
Where's Sean?
Kaheem, what, where is he?
Where's Sean?
Back here?
That's where they're working
on him.
[Shelby] Kaheem?
Hey, what's going on?
What's happening?
What happened? Are you okay?
-Yeah, I'm good.
-Babe, talk to me.
[man] Excuse me, ma'am,
you can't come in here.
Hey, I'm looking for Sean Bell.
The other officer already took
my ID and everything.
Just please just tell me
if he's okay.
-Okay.
-Wait a minute.
Is he back here?
Is he back there?
-I said wait.
-Sean Bell, is he back there?
Excuse me, excuse me.
May I ask who you are?
I'm Sean Bell's fianc.
Look, we literally
get married today.
I just--I need to know
if he's okay, that's it.
Okay, I'm Dr. Simmons,
I'm the one who's
been working on Sean.
That's good.
[Nicole] What? Wait,
why can't she talk to me?
Just give 'em a minute.
-What's going on?
-It's gonna be fine.
Is he back here?
Just please tell me
is he back here?
I need you to calm down.
[Nicole] Okay, I'm sorry,
I just want to know if he's--
Okay, give me some space.
I am very sorry,
but I have been instructed
not to speak to you.
Are you kidding me?
Listen, listen.
What if this was your husband?
Come on, please, just help me
figure out where he is.
[Shelby] You gotta
tell her something.
Okay, in a minute,
we'll go in another room
and I will tell you everything,
but in the meantime,
do you know if Sean is a donor?
[sad music]
[sighs]
Like, where is he?
[sighs]
You know, I'm just gonna check
on Kaheem real quick.
[Nicole] Oh, well, thank God.
[Dr. Simmons] Thank you
for waiting.
[Nicole] Just tell me.
How bad is it?
I've been with this guy
since I was 16.
We have two kids together;
the youngest one
is five months, like,
literally, just tell me
and I promise you we can
get through whatever together.
Sean was shot... four times.
We did everything we could,
but he didn't make it.
[Nicole] No, nah,
that's not true.
[Dr. Simmons] I'm sorry,
he has passed away.
No.
No...
No, no, no, no, no!
Just take me to him.
I-I can't he's part of
an active police investigation--
Please, just take me to him!
Please, just take me to him!
No, take me to him right now!
[overlapping voices]
I'm sorry, it's all part
of an active
police investigation
right now, I'm sorry.
Just take me to him, no!
No!
No, he can't die!
It wasn't part of the plan!
No!
No!
[man] No, no. Not Sean. No.
What?
[Nicole] No.
[sobbing]
He's gone, Daddy.
He's gone.
[inaudible]
[faint bells tolling]
Bishop, thank you for coming.
I brought this in case
there was a chance
they could sign it.
[woman] Thank you.
You must know that God
is still with you
during these terrible times.
Excuse me.
[door opens and closes]
[thunderclap]
Kaheem?
[rain falling]
Kaheem.
Kaheem, what happened?
Kaheem, I need you
to talk to me okay?
[Kaheem] Coley, I let you down.
No, that's not true.
Just talk to me, okay?
Just talk to me, please.
[Kaheem] I was meeting up
with the crew, you know?
[crowd noise]
[Kaheem] Joe, Trent,
even Red was there.
[indistinct lyrics]
[Kaheem] S was just
having fun, man.
I linked up
with him afterwards.
Sean was getting into it
with the owner.
I think he left his hat inside
or something.
Yo!
[knocking]
-Yo!
-Who the f*ck is he talking to?
-What?
-Why you pulling on the door?
Hey, mind your own business.
[man] And it is my business.
[hard knocking]
[tense music]
Oh, it's cool, it's cool.
Hey, we ain't worried
about none of that, son.
[man] Keep moving. We good.
Great, we getting married
tomorrow.
Aight, then, so we good?
[Sean] Well, yeah, I can't front
you like that, my n*gga.
-We're great, n*gga.
-He's good, he's great.
He's getting married.
We out, come on.
[man] Aight, then.
You good, n*gga? You good?
[tires screeching]
[drunken singing]
We're not worried about them.
We worried about all
the [indistinct].
[Sean] Hey, man, there was a lot
of a*s in there, man.
[laughter]
Yo, like this, man!
You were about to get us
kicked out of the club.
Why you slapping shawty a*s
so hard, man?
-I like that.
-Word!
It's my last f*cking night, man.
Married man tomorrow, man.
[indistinct dialogue]
f*ck all that.
Where we about to go eat at?
sh*t, where you wanna go?
Hey, look, I'm not trying
to go too far--
[man] There ain't
too many spots open, man.
[suspenseful music]
-Lemme holla--
-Oh, sh*t!
g*n!
[engine revving]
[g*nf*re]
[yelping]
[g*nf*re continues]
[Kaheem] Then it just got quiet.
So, me and Red walked back
when we thought it was over.
I thought they was just
some random n*gg*s
or something.
But they was cops.
[thunderclap]
Reverend Sharpton.
I received a call
from Reverend Wright.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
[Mr. Paultre]
Do you know anything?
The cops who did this?
[Sharpton] My team
is seeking information
from various sources.
One of my assistants
is at the crime scene right now.
Trent and Joe
are at Mary Immaculate Hospital.
Trent got shot,
but he's awake.
And Joe's in a coma.
[Mr. Paultre] I'll give the...
the address.
[woman] Thank you, Reverend.
My daughters.
Oh, I just thought
about my daughters.
-I'm gonna take care of 'em.
-What am I supposed to do?
Come on.
[sirens in distance]
[man] You better tell me
exactly what happened, Jess.
[Jesse] I saw the group arguing
with another man
outside the club
and overheard one of them saying
he was going to get his gat.
This was when I followed
the suspects.
I exposed my badge, I said,
"Police, let me see your hands."
He then clipped me
with his car,
one of 'em bent down
like he was going for a g*n.
That's when I fired.
I do not feel
like we overreacted
to the situation.
I felt like my life
was threatened.
Did they recover any weapons
from the suspect or vehicle?
No... not yet.
[indistinct radio chatter]
Goddammit, Jess.
It was time to pack up
and go home.
But we only needed one more
collar to shut this place down.
Shut the...
You gotta think
before you speak, Jess.
Or don't speak, not even to me.
-You understand?
-Aight, got it.
I got it.
We're headed for a shitstorm.
[indistinct radio
chatter]
[Nicole] Shelby, I wanna see it.
Are you sure?
Yes.
[sirens in distance]
[indistinct radio chatter]
[reporter] Good morning,
this is Sandra Lee
from Channel Five News.
I'm here on Liverpool Street,
reporting on an incident.
Details are sketchy,
but what we do know
is there has been
a reported incident
involving g*nf*re
and several people
have been taken
to the local hospital.
I'm here with community members.
What did you see, ma'am?
[woman] I live right down
the street
and I heard tons of g*nshots.
[camera snapping]
It was just like
so many g*nshots.
I don't know if it ever ended.
[man] Stand back!
Aight, stand back! Stand back.
[morose music]
Coley, your car.
[man] Are you the girlfriend?
Do you have anything to say?
[woman] Can you make
a statement?
Tell us something.
[man] Does Sean carry a g*n?
[somber music playing]
-What?
-Does Sean carry a g*n?
[indistinct radio chatter]
[Nicole] My fianc
just got m*rder*d
and you're asking me
if he carried a g*n?
[reporter] Yes.
[clamoring]
What did they tell you
at the hospital?
[muffled chatter]
[clamoring]
[rustling]
[Shelby] Coley...
Coley, what are you
looking for?
What are you doing?
Coley...
[Nicole] I don't know,
maybe he came home.
You know, maybe he left a note
or something.
He'd do that,
you know he'd do that.
You know that, you know
there has to be something here,
there has to be something here.
Where'd you...
He's gone.
No.
[man] There she is!
Nicole! Nicole!
Nicole, do you have
anything to say?
Have you spoken
to Mayor Bloomberg?
[muffled shouting]
[solemn music playing]
Do you think she'll be okay?
[Shelby] I don't know.
[man] Reverend Sharpton,
Reverend Sharpton!
-[clamoring]
-[camera shutters clicking]
-Reverend.
-Mr. Paultre.
Welcome.
Ladies...
You were going to get married.
Yeah.
Get married
and grow old together.
I want you to know that
I'm going to be with you
until the end of this, Nicole.
I'm gonna do
everything in my power
to make sure that nothing
is covered up...
and the people who did this
are held accountable.
This is my priority.
When you're ready to make
a statement, you let me know,
but, for now,
you just get you some rest.
But tomorrow, we will march.
And again...
I'm so sorry
you have to go through this.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I'm so sorry, um,
can I excuse myself?
How long do you think
the news will be outside?
I don't know.
Could be days.
Could be weeks.
Could be months.
This is the biggest thing
since Amadou Diallo.
We all know how that went down.
Yeah.
Sean Bell was shot down
on his wedding day.
[woman] Preach it, Reverend!
He had no weapon.
He had no record.
Completely innocent.
Shot down in a hail of b*ll*ts.
-Unarmed!
-Ridiculous!
[Sharpton] Fifty shots
while his bride-to-be
lay asleep,
anticipating the best day
of her life.
Justice must be served.
No justice, no peace!
[Sharpton and crowd]
No justice, no peace!
No justice, no peace!
No justice, no peace!
No justice, no peace!
Al Sharpton told us
that we could speak to you
about representation.
You're familiar
with these type of cases?
Reverend Al Sharpton and I
have worked together
on several occasions.
He's told me about everything,
and I would like
to represent you in civil court.
What does that mean?
That means that I will be
with you every step of the way,
from the criminal trial
to the civil suit.
Rev and I want to make sure
you and your daughters
are taken care of
and the city pays
for what happened.
Ms. Paultre, is there
anything in particular
you would like me
to do for you?
No, thank you, Mr. Rubenstein.
But, please, call me Nicole.
I'll call you Nicole
as long as you call me Sandy.
Actually, there is one thing.
[Sandy] What's that?
Do you think you'd be able
to get our wedding rings?
I believe Sean had it with him.
The district attorney's office
probably won't allow it,
considering it's
an ongoing investigation,
but let me see what I can do.
Thank you so much, Sandy.
You're welcome, Nicole.
-Everyone, have a good day.
-Good day.
[gentle music playing]
-[door opening]
-[clamoring]
Hey.
You ready?
[dramatic music playing]
[register dings]
[woman] Thank you.
Thank you, appreciate it.
Hey, Nicole, I'm John
from the Daily News.
Would you mind telling us
how you feel?
-Which way, Shelby?
-Let's go this way.
-[machine beeping]
-[whooshing]
[distant crying]
[birds chirping]
-[sighing]
-[clearing throat]
I'll, uh, keep watching
the girls
and you can go handle business
with Nicole.
-Thanks, Mom.
-Mm-hm.
I just want to pack up
all this stuff
so she doesn't come in
and see all this.
[door opening]
Hey.
Um, I tried to call.
[woman] Nicole, um,
can I get you something to eat?
Jada and Jordyn
are still sleeping.
-How have they been?
-They're good.
Haven't figured anything out
or anything?
[woman 2] No, no, no,
everything's fine.
Come here.
They're fine.
[dark music playing]
So, why don't we put
our heads together
and come up with something?
Gonna be all right.
Come on.
[intense music playing]
So, why don't we put
our heads together
and come up with something?
Come on.
Come on, babies. My girls.
[indistinct] you reached Sean.
I'm not available.
[indistinct]
[indistinct] you reached Sean.
I'm not available.
[indistinct]
[indistinct] you reached Sean.
I'm not available.
[indistinct]
Coley...
Can you please get some rest?
Want to try to eat something?
It might help you sleep.
[moody music playing]
[sighing]
[clattering]
[shattering]
[clattering]
[woman] Coley?
-[slamming]
[glass shattering]
[Mr. Paultre] Hey! Hey! Hey!
-Dad, Dad.
-Don't do that, no, no, no.
Come on, let go, let go.
[shouting]
-Come on, Nicole.
-Coley, no.
Here, take it.
[heavy breathing]
Come here, baby.
This is not the way, baby.
[sobbing]
Think about your girls, Coley.
No.
No.
[Mr. Paultre] Baby,
you're strong, baby.
I'm not.
I'm not.
[Mr. Paultre]
Oh, come on, baby.
Did I ever tell you
my favorite Sean story?
[uplifting music playing]
You know, I was leaving
the house one day,
and I see Sean outside
trying to fix a flat tire
on your car
with a bicycle pump.
He was sweating and struggling.
I said to him, I said,
"Sean, you can't do that."
And he got right back at me
and said, "I got this.
I just need to fill it
just enough
to get me down to the shop."
I said, "Oh, my God,
this kid is crazy."
I thought he was nuts.
But it worked.
Sean was that determined.
I need you to be
just as determined.
To be okay.
For Sean.
For your girls.
For yourself.
I know this is not the life
you envisioned, baby.
But if you want to continue
to love Sean,
you can't abandon him.
Come here, baby.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jesse] One of them said,
"Go get my gat,"
and that's when
I radioed you, Lieutenant.
-I only told you to follow.
-I know.
But I believe there was
a fourth man with a g*n.
He got away.
We rounded the corner
to move in.
We didn't purposely
slam into him.
Once I saw one of 'em
reach down,
I yelled, "He's got a g*n."
I didn't fire until then.
[man] I believe the suspects
were firing at us.
When we heard the shots,
we saw the blown-out windows,
this is when Officer Carey
and I began sh**ting.
Oliver, Carey,
what were the results
of your firearm inspections?
Only three rounds discharged.
Thirty-one.
[Napoli] You had time
to stop and reload?
I thought my g*n was misfiring.
Cooper, you hit the Air Train?
Um, I fired from behind
after I got out of the vehicle.
[tapping of typewriter keys]
One of the suspects was shot
in the leg while running away.
Could've been ricochet.
I only shot at the car.
Only shot once.
[Oliver] We all believed
our lives were in danger.
Plain and simple.
All right. We're done.
[paper ripping]
[zippering]
You all better hope
they find that fourth man.
And the g*n.
Now go talk to the union.
They'll help each of you
lawyer up.
You're gonna need it.
Today.
Let's go.
[chairs scraping]
[solemn music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Nicole] Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Do you think there's a way
that we can get them fired?
Um, well, there's gonna have
to be an internal investigation,
but, uh, that's not gonna happen
until after the trial.
So--so, you're telling me
they get to walk around
as if nothing happened?
[man] Could we file a motion
for the law to change?
Yes, they could,
but that's not gonna happen
before the court trial.
But I talked to the mayor
this morning.
I agree, that is something
we should do.
Listen, we can put it
in motion for sure,
yes, and I think we should,
could you... could
your people help?
[man] Sorry,
she wants to talk now.
Hello?
Oh.
Yes.
[clearing throat]
Nicole, there's, um,
we have somebody on the phone
who wants to speak to you.
Hello?
Oh...
I'm just... here.
Jordyn is an infant and, um,
Jada, she doesn't
really understand.
I appreciate you
for taking the time out
to call, you know.
Thank you so much.
Goodbye.
[woman] Here.
You okay?
That was Hillary Clinton.
Really?
What'd she say?
That she's sorry,
and she'll do whatever she can,
write letters, make sure
the state handles this fairly.
[woman] Okay.
Okay.
Listen, I, uh,
I checked on Jordyn.
She's asleep.
So, if you don't
need me to stay,
we're gonna go home
and get some rest.
It's something
you should try doing.
You go upstairs, you let
your dad handle all of this.
Okay?
I love you.
[whooshing]
Muah.
-You okay?
-I am. Are you?
-Okay.
-How's your day?
[Sean] Good. Look, hey,
I brought some mac and cheese
and some sweet potato pie
from my mom's crib
if you want some.
[Nicole] Your mom made you
another sweet potato pie?
Hey, look, it's not for me,
okay? It's for Jada.
Whatever, mama's boy.
[Sean] Hey, look.
Only for food.
Look, I gotta go, okay?
I don't want to be
late for work.
-All right, bye.
-Hey, hey, hey.
What'd I tell you about that?
I'm sorry.
I'll see you later.
Mm, see you later, Mom.
I will see you later, too.
Muah.
My little princess.
I can't wait to meet you.
She kicks every time
she hear you.
[Sean] I know.
She's gonna be strong.
-You felt her kicking?
-I felt it.
See you later, aight?
-All right.
-Love you.
-Love you, too.
-Love you more.
-[Sean] Bye, baby.
-See ya.
-[door closing]
-[whooshing]
[woman] Call me
if you need me.
Okay. Okay.
Hey, Jada, why don't you come
show me your pictures?
Oh, it's beautiful.
[Jada] I want to show
Daddy, too.
[piano music playing]
[dish clanging]
Sweetheart, um, Mommy has
to talk to you about Daddy.
Where's Daddy?
So, uh...
[vocalist] Listen
While you still can
Daddy, he went to go play
baseball... up in heaven.
When is he coming back?
[vocalist] Still can hear
It's gonna be a long time.
Why?
Well, because God,
He wanted him
to play on a very special team.
Why didn't God take us?
I like baseball.
Because, sweetheart, it just...
it doesn't work like that.
But any time you want
to talk to Daddy,
you can, whenever you need.
[Jada] I can draw him pictures?
Yeah.
Yeah, he'd love that.
[Jada] When he comes back,
I'll have a lot to show him.
Yeah?
Oh, he's gonna be so excited.
Can you do Mommy a favor?
So, can you go and draw us
some pictures?
-Yeah.
-Thank you.
Go ahead, go draw
some more pictures.
[vocalist] Walk away
From here
No, I don't wanna
Wanna walk away
Walk away from you
[clamoring]
[Sharpton] So, how are you
holding up?
It's just I keep finding out
new information from the papers.
I don't understand, why aren't
they sharing things with us?
I'll reach out
to some of my media sources
and get better information
next time before it's released.
Please.
[somber music playing]
Are they still working?
The officers?
Yes.
[sighing]
-Ah, thank you.
-Thank you.
[Sandy] Nicole,
before we get started,
I was unable to get
any of Sean's other belongings,
but...
they let me have these.
Is there any way that we can
make this a legal marriage?
Unfortunately, uh,
that's not possible.
However, I have another idea.
I can change your name.
-Okay.
-All right?
All right.
This came for you.
Larry King wants you
to come on his show.
After the funeral, of course.
Honestly?
I don't think
I can talk about it.
[Sharpton] People need
to hear from you.
[Sandy] And we will make sure
you're fully prepared.
I'm so sorry, I just,
I really want to focus
on his funeral.
It's a lot.
It is a lot, we know.
[Sharpton] As his fiance
and the mother
of his children,
your voice is important.
[male vocalist 1] How do I
Say goodbye
To what we had
The good times
That made us laugh
Outweigh the bad
I thought we'd get
To see forever
But forever's gone away
It's so hard to say goodbye
To yesterday
[male vocalist 2] I don't know
Where this road
Is going to lead
All I know
Is where we've been
And what we've been through
If we get to see tomorrow
[Nicole] Yes, it's my car.
I bought it with my own money
when I was 19.
What do you mean?
The NYPD is fighting
the insurance claim?
No, no, it was not his fault.
[gentle music playing]
[whooshing]
[man] Where your glove?
[indistinct chatter]
[man] Yeah, right in there.
[umpire] Strike!
-What's up, Coach?
-How's everything going?
-Everything's going good, sir.
-All right.
You're doing good
out there with your team.
Thank you, trying
to keep the boys ready.
Right, they're gonna be ready
with a captain like you.
-Thank you, I appreciate that.
-Clocked you at 91 today, man.
-Hoo!
-Good numbers.
Scholarship numbers.
Major league numbers, man.
-Thank you.
-You're a born leader, man.
[Sean] Appreciate you.
Thank you.
[Nicole] And the MVP award
goes to...
You did such a good job.
No, he told me
I could really do this,
that I could make it
to the big leagues.
Of course you can.
I got the maturity to lead.
I just... I just gotta
believe in myself.
-Of course.
-Yeah.
I'll be your own
personal cheerleader, right?
-Come on.
-Oh, you're doubting me?
-You doubting me?
-Huh?
-S-E-A-N!
-Okay, okay, okay.
[indistinct chatter]
-[whooshing]
-[baby crying]
[woman] Several of the men
in attendance
at the ill-fated
bachelor party
at Club Kalua
in Jamaica, Queens,
have multiple priors,
including ill*gal possession
of drugs and weapons--
[man] Get the f*ck out of here,
the guy was partying.
His blood alcohol was...
[remote slamming]
[solemn music playing]
He's leaving
his damn bachelor party.
What you think he was doing?
[Kaheem] That's some bullshit.
I gotta get ready for work.
If they put Kaheem's prior
from '96 all over the news,
they're not gonna want
another clinic.
[man] What does that
have to do with it?
He did nothing wrong that night.
[Nicole] He was right,
I've been so stupid.
[phone keys clicking]
Hey, Rev.
Is there any chance
I could still do
the Larry King interview?
[bulb popping, buzzing]
[Larry] New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg
has since weighed in.
Did Bell's car hit
an undercover officer
and ram an unmarked NYPD van,
as they say?
My exclusive tonight
is with Bell's fiance,
who told a New York
radio station
the cops were "murderers."
Nicole, tell us a bit
about Sean.
What was he like?
[Nicole] Sean, um...
He's incredible.
And he's one of those
kind of people
if you didn't have it
and he did,
and you asked
and you needed it,
he'd give you the shirt
off his back.
That was just the kind
of person he was.
Um, very, very loving.
He cared, you know?
He cared about his family,
and his kids,
and his mom and dad,
and myself.
Very, very strong guy,
very great man,
and a great father.
This is strange to ask
this way, Nicole,
but why don't you appear
more angry?
[Nicole] Honestly, um,
I'm more trying to focus
on being strong, you know?
I just... I just want justice.
We just want justice.
Me and my family.
We just... we just want justice.
[Larry] Reverend Al,
you paid a visit
with the other people
injured, Guzman and Benefield.
What did they tell you?
What Nicole said
is the bottom line.
And I'm not gonna try
to testify for them.
But, clearly, they thought
that they were carjacked.
When I went
with Mr. Benefield's mama
to see him, he had
just found out, in fact,
that he got shot by the police.
Nicole, have you had
any dealings
with any of the police
involved?
[Nicole] Absolutely not.
And to be honest with you,
I don't plan to.
[solemn music playing]
[cell phone dialing]
Hey.
This is Officer Isnora.
If possible, I would like a car
to circle my home
for the next few days.
I've received a death threat,
and I just want to take
all precaution.
Okay.
Thanks.
Come on, sh*t.
[engine starts]
[g*nshots]
[beeping]
[engine revs]
[Guzman] This sh*t's not right.
They shot at us
like we was wild animals.
[woman] Here you go, baby.
If old boy hadda
had his badge on,
we would have all
had our hands up.
Y'all know how many times
we done been through this.
Yeah.
[Guzman] Inside the club,
that cat was just chillin'.
Man, he was shootin' at us,
he was wildin' out.
He... he looked me dead
in the eye and shot me.
[grim music playing]
[Shelby] That's f*ck' wrong.
Wait... wait, was he drinking
at the bar?
Vice boys do
whatever the f*ck they want
when they undercover.
Man, I told S, man,
they tryin' to k*ll us, man.
They... they was tryin'
to k*ll us.
[traffic humming]
[Nicole] Sean was a victim.
[soft, tense music playing]
He didn't deserve to get
gunned down and k*lled.
He was just doing
what most American men do
the day before their wedding.
[Nicole sighs]
My daughters...
they've been left
without a father.
And these officers, they're
still just walking around
with their g*ns
and their badges.
And I don't understand how.
There have been
absolutely no repercussions
for their actions.
And this must be changed.
We need justice.
-What do we want?
-Justice!
-When do we want it?
-Now!
-What do we want?
-Justice!
-When do we want it?
-Now!
-What do we want?
-Justice!
-When do we want it?
-Now!
We want justice!
We want justice!
No justice, no peace!
No justice, no peace!
[shouting]
[vehicle engine humming]
[horn blaring]
[door closes]
[sentimental music playing]
[Sean's voice] My Coley...
Listen, I don't need
the world
and all of its coffers.
Just you by my side to love.
Happy birthday, love.
[sighs]
From the one and only... Sean.
[crowd] Seven, eight,
nine, ten,
eleven, twelve,
thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen, sixteen,
seventeen, eighteen,
nineteen, twenty,
twenty-one, twenty-two,
twenty-three, twenty-four,
twenty-five, twenty-six,
twenty-seven, twenty-eight,
twenty-nine, thirty,
thirty-one, thirty-two,
thirty-three, thirty-four,
thirty-five, thirty-six,
thirty-seven, thirty-eight,
thirty-nine, forty,
forty-one, forty-two,
forty-three, forty-four,
forty-five, forty-six,
forty-seven, forty-eight,
forty-nine, fifty.
[distorted shouting]
[eerie music playing]
[vocalist] Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not
Here I come
Here I come
Here I come
You can't hide
-[g*nsh*t]
-[whimpers]
Gonna find you
And take it slowly
Ready or not
Here I come
You can't hide
[shouting]
[Shelby] You know,
I think you should
probably start sleepin'
in your own bed.
[sighs]
It still smells like him.
Well, maybe I could
clean the room, you know,
and move some things around?
Absolutely not.
Okay.
You know,
I hate to say it, but...
maybe you should think about
seeing a psychologist.
Just to talk
some things through.
I know victim services
was no help,
but maybe with the donations...
[Nicole] Seriously, Shelby?
You're starting to sound
like the rest of the world.
I'm good.
[Shelby] Okay.
Shelby, listen, I'm sorry.
Look.
We're losin'.
Okay.
-And what do you mean?
-Every newscast, every paper.
They just keep talking
about this big stripper party
and how much Sean had to drink
on his bachelor night.
How his car was a deadly weapon,
how...
how he got arrested
five years ago
for smokin' a blunt.
Then they're still trying
to pin one of the guys
as the fourth man with a g*n.
Yes, they know they're wrong,
but nobody's talkin' about that.
Nobody's talkin' about the cops,
how the cops were drinking,
how... how the cop
who literally shot first
was drinkin' all night.
Nobody's talkin' about how
beautiful of a person Sean was.
And then what about Jordyn
and Jada?
When they get older
and understand
what people are saying
about their dad.
I... I don't know, Coley.
But I understand how you feel.
Okay, you don't understand.
You get to go home
to your husband every night.
Every night, everybody does.
Except me.
[vehicle engine rumbling]
[engine stops]
[dog barks]
[Mr. Paultre] I'll be back
after work.
[kids] Bake me a cake
as fast as you can.
Roll it, move it, pass it.
[Nicole] Happy birthday,
sweetheart.
[Jada] Mommy, you're here!
Of course I am, love.
I missed you so much.
-How you feelin'?
-Good.
Good?
Mommy got you a cake.
You wanna see the cake?
-Yeah.
-Yeah?
-Ah, you like the cake?
-Yeah.
Yeah? You wanna go get some?
-Yeah.
-Let's go get some.
-Good.
-Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[woman] [indistinct]
right? Okay.
One, two, three.
Happy birthday to you
Cha cha cha
Happy birthday to you
Cha cha cha
Happy birthday, dear Jada
Happy birthday to you
Cha cha cha
[clapping]
-Yay.
-Good job.
Good job, good job.
All right!
Say, "Happy birthday!"
Ready to cut it up?
Okay, let me take 'em off.
-You can take one off.
-Happy birthday!
[woman] Time for presents?
I think they're waiting
for cake.
[soft music playing]
Hey.
Um... I just wanted
to show you this.
Well, um... I got
my name changed, love.
I am Nicole Bell.
I'll forever be Nicole Bell.
[she kisses her fingers]
[man] Two of the officers
charged,
Michael Oliver
and Gescard Isnora,
have been charged
with, uh,
manslaughter in the first
and second degree.
That is to say
both with intentional
and reckless manslaughter.
In addition, uh,
Oliver has been charged with
as*ault in the first degree
and reckless endangerment
in the second degree.
Isnora also faces charges
in the assaults
in the second degree,
and reckless endangerment
in the second degree.
[sighs]
Thank you, God.
So, what's next?
The officers are getting
arrested now, right?
[Sandy] Yes, but they
will make bail and be out,
so, don't be alarmed
if you see that.
Right.
And what about their jobs?
I'm sure they'll be put on
administrative duties for now.
This is a process, Nicole,
but we are moving forward,
I promise.
Every little victory counts.
Yeah.
Everyone keeps sayin' that.
I know.
[journalists shouting]
Nicole.
Three of the five officers
were suspended without pay.
How do you feel about that?
I just really hope
they're convicted.
Nicole, do you think that
the indictments will stick?
[journalists shouting]
-Mommy.
-Yes, honey?
Why do people
keep bothering you?
[Nicole] Oh, honey.
[sighs]
They just, uh,
they just have questions
about Daddy and...
He needs to come back.
[Jordyn crying]
[soft, tense music playing]
It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
[shushing]
There we go.
[cooing]
There we go.
[phone ringing]
Nicole.
[Nicole] Hope I'm not
bothering you, Rev.
Oh, no, no, not at all.
[Nicole] So, I wanted
to ask you something.
I was told Jay-Z called
and he wants to set up
a trust fund for the girls.
And... he also
wanted us to join
the I Will Not Lose
Rocawear campaign.
Do you think
that's a good idea?
Well, maybe.
I mean, it could be positive.
But then again,
it could be used negatively.
You trust your gut on this one.
Right.
Oh yeah, also, I was wondering,
uh, were you able to get me
in a see and hear panel,
you know,
so I can make up a proposal?
You better believe it.
Thank you so much, Rev.
[phone beeps]
[anchor] A trial date
has been set
and the officers have elected
to have a bench trial
instead of standing before
a jury of their peers.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[man] You better watch yourself,
you f*ck' b*tch.
We're all around you.
[dial tone]
[phone clatters]
[distant sirens wailing]
[Nicole] Then why did we lobby
and petition so hard
to not move the trial
if all they had to do
was switch to a bench trial?
I know.
And then this...
this retiring judge,
he's staying just for this case?
Sandy, come on,
this sounds like a setup.
Try not to go there, Nicole.
Or what? More threatening calls?
My team is gonna find out
where that call came from
and put a stop to it.
But now that the trial date
is set,
the prosecutors and I
need to focus
on getting you ready
for the stand.
Yeah.
-Whatever you need.
-Okay.
Sandy, I really need these cops
to go to jail.
I know.
If not, cops will think
that 50 shots is okay.
The cops who police
my community and my kids
will think
that 50 shots is okay.
Sandy, 50 shots is not okay.
No, it's not.
And we're gonna do something
about it.
[traffic sounds]
[indistinct chatter]
[chatter fades]
[attorney] Ms. Bell,
when was the last time
you saw Sean?
[eerie music playing]
The day before our wedding.
[dramatic music playing]
Hey, yo, you know I'm not
supposed to be carrying this.
-It's bad luck.
-Please.
-You can't even see the dress.
-I can see the dress.
-You can't see the dress.
-Whatever...
-Let me carry it.
-I got it.
I got it, I got it.
I got it, I got it.
She's funny.
Got everything?
Yeah, yeah.
-Got everything I need.
-Me too.
[soft music playing]
I love you so much.
I love you more.
One more for the road.
Mrs. Sean Bell.
[Nicole] Ooh, it got a ring...
-It has a ring.
-Got a ring to it.
-It has a ring.
-It's got a ring to it.
[Nicole] He dropped me off
at my mother's house.
That's where I had
my bridal shower.
[grim music playing]
It was a small gathering,
just a few people.
-[phone ringing]
-He called me around 7:00.
We didn't speak about too much,
but just that I forgot
the cans of milk
and he hadn't had
any formal plans.
He said he was gonna go
somewhere local.
[whooshing]
Yeah.
That was the last time
I spoke with him.
[indistinct chatter]
[attorney] Mr. Guzman.
Take you back to 1995.
Now, in 1995, you went before
the court, right?
Mm-hm.
You put your hand
on the Bible, right?
Mm-hm.
And swore and gave a plea.
Yes, I did.
And what was the plea
that you pled to?
It was reckless endangerment.
[attorney] For robbery
and firing a g*n at Mr. Grimes.
[Guzman] You ain't do
your homework.
[attorney] Yes or no.
In the case, it states
that I never had a g*n.
Yes or no.
In the case there, it states
that I never had a g*n.
You ain't do your homework.
[attorney] Then,
you had a g*n.
Now you're telling the court
that you never had a g*n
November 25th, 2006.
Did you find a g*n
or did they find a g*n?
[overlapping shouting]
[gavel bangs]
Quiet.
This is a courtroom, folks.
[attorney] And one
of the things
you always wanted to say was,
"I didn't have a g*n."
I ain't have no g*n.
They ain't find
no g*n, right?
What case is...
what... where...
what case is he talkin' about?
I...
[Benefield] I was shot
while runnin' away.
[attorney] Your grand jury
testimony
says that you told the officers
that you were shot in the car.
Which statement is true?
[g*nshots]
[Benefield] Started shootin'
while we was in the car,
but I ran out,
I got shot
while I was runnin' away.
[attorney] So, you weren't
in the car
or you were in the car?
Were you in the car,
out the car, in the car?
-Yes or no?
-I don't recall.
[attorney] You don't...
I'm sorry?
-I don't recall.
-Yes or no?
Were you in the car
or out the car?
[sighs]
I don't recall.
-You don't recall.
-No.
You got shot,
but you don't recall
where you got shot.
I was shot in both my legs,
I know that.
[attorney] When you were younger
you did some short time
for a felony conviction.
[soft, tense music playing]
For, um, sellin' drugs, right?
Yeah.
You got caught up in the streets
when you were younger?
Yeah.
Are you still
bouncing in and out
or do you got it straight?
I got it straight.
[attorney] Okay.
Tell the judge
what you saw that night.
[vehicle engine humming]
[g*nshots]
[man] I remember saying goodbye
to Sean and them outside,
leaving Kalua.
I passed by a dude in the alley
who was buggin' out,
but I ain't know he was a cop.
[attorney] So, why didn't you
call your friends and warn 'em
there was a n*gga on the block
with a g*n buggin' out, hm?
Wait, what?
[attorney chuckles]
Not my words.
I'm just referring to the way
one of the boys in your crew
described Detective Isnora.
So, why didn't you call 'em?
Not everybody got a cell phone.
And the g*nshots started
right after that.
-[faint shouting]
-[g*nshots]
[distant sirens]
[ambulance beeping]
[g*nshots]
[attorney] After you
observed that,
what, if anything,
did you do?
[Kaheem] My mind was racin',
so, I just knew I had
to get to the hospital,
so I just started walkin' up
Seven Boulevard.
Why didn't you drive?
Is it because you had a g*n
in the vehicle?
[Kaheem sighs]
Can't you say something?
[Kaheem] I just saw
my best friend get shot.
I couldn't drive.
[clock ticking]
[traffic whirring]
[indistinct chatter]
[metal detector beeping]
[eerie whoosh]
[Napoli] A drug dealer
that we wanted to meet with
was not at
our first choice location,
so... we decided to target
Kalua Cabaret.
[attorney] And what did
you tell the detectives
under your command that night
before the operation?
I said our unit...
I said the unit was gonna
see massive changes
after that night.
That our unit
was gonna be streamlined.
And that it was
our final night together.
I told them to make it count.
[attorney] No further questions.
Your Honor, at this time,
I'm going to ask that we read
the grand jury testimonies
of Gescard Isnora,
Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper,
as they have indicated
that they will not
be taking the stand.
-[courtroom reacts]
-Yo, what?
The cops don't have
to take the stand?
Yo, who's on trial?
-[gavel bangs]
-Who's on trial?
[judge] Quiet!
This is a courtroom.
We are not at home
on our couches
watching this on television.
[grim music playing]
[attorney] Ms. Angula,
how many drinks
did you serve the detective?
I don't remember exactly.
[whooshing]
[Shyne] Witcha g*y raps
Runnin 'round talkin' this
And talkin' that
See me in the streets
Tried to give me dap
Andrew Cunanan a*s n*gg*s
My two cannons blast n*gg*s
Ask n*gg*s
Got me f*cked up in the game
Get your shirt stained
Keep your five mics, n*gga
Give me the 'caine
[Angula] Maybe three or four.
[attorney] And you said
you served Sean Bell one drink.
-Is that correct?
-Yes.
[attorney] At the time
you served him that drink...
[whooshing]
Did you have
any impression whatsoever
that he was intoxicated?
No.
No further questions.
[soft music playing]
[crickets chirring]
[speaking Spanish]
[g*nshots]
[echoing children's voices]
[shattering glass]
[attorney] These are
the surveillance videos
from the air train
at Jamaica station.
These videos reveal a b*llet
narrowly missing a civilian
while two Port Authority
patrolmen scramble for cover.
[somber music]
[forensic expert] Yes, all
the clothing tested positive
for lead traces.
[indistinct murmuring]
[guttural gasping]
[medical examiner] Uh,
four b*ll*ts were found
in Bell's body.
The first b*llet tore
the vocal cords.
The perforation of the larynx
can cause death.
The second b*llet hit Bell
in the right shoulder,
wound up in the chest wall.
The third b*llet, uh,
entered Bell's body
from the back of the torso,
ripping through the liver,
the diaphragm, and a lung
before lodging in his spine.
The fourth b*llet,
it shattered a bone
in Bell's right arm.
[attorney] I only have
one question for this witness,
Your Honor.
Proceed.
[attorney] Dr. Greenberg.
Is it right to say
it was impossible
for Sean Bell to have said
"I love you" to Joseph Guzman
after that first shot,
as stated in his testimony?
He-he may have been able
to make, uh, guttural sounds.
But he-he would not have been
able to produce words
or any meaningful sounds.
[Anthony] Thank you, Doctor.
No further questions,
Your Honor.
[solemn music]
...as they have indicated
that they will not be
taking the stand.
[man] Cops don't even
have to take the stand.
Yo, who's on trial?
[man] g*nshots started
right after that.
Angula, how many drinks
did you serve the detective?
[Angula] Maybe three or four?
[Dr. Greenberg] He may have
been able to make
guttural sounds.
He would not have been able
to produce words
or any meaningful sounds.
[man] He decided to target...
[attorney]
These videos reveal
a b*llet narrowly missing
a civilian
while two Port Authority
patrolmen scramble for cover.
[Dr. Greenberg] First b*llet
tore the vocal cords.
The second b*llet hit Bell
in the right shoulder,
third b*llet in the chest wall.
[forensic expert] All
the clothing tested positive
for lead traces.
[Dr. Greenberg] ...and a lung
before lodging in his spine.
[Kaheem] I just saw
my little brother get shot.
I couldn't drive.
[traffic noises]
[footsteps on courtroom floor]
[attorney] Lieutenant
Napoli never fired
because he couldn't
identify a target.
Carey stopped firing
after only three rounds,
took cover, and reassessed.
Isnora, Oliver, and Cooper
acted excessively
and recklessly.
Now, even if these officers
feared for their lives,
mistaking each others' b*ll*ts
for some imaginary assailant,
police are asked
to risk their lives
to protect ours,
not to risk our own lives
to protect their own.
[soft, tense music]
[judge] Counsel.
Your Honor.
[clears throat]
I'm here to represent
Detective Isnora.
Will you please stand?
There's a picture of him
the Daily News took
moments after the sh**ting.
He had his shield on.
What did he have?
His shield on.
Now, the people are gonna say,
"He probably put it on
after it happened."
Well, let 'em say it.
There's no proof of that.
And besides...
Detective Isnora is just
not that type of man.
What was he supposed
to do, Judge...
when he thought that these men
were going to run him over?
While both come from poor
communities of color...
Detective Isnora--please turn...
did not turn
to a life of crime...
like Bell's friends.
But he went to college
and became a crime fighter.
Instead of robbing people,
hiding g*ns into cars,
and doing time in prison,
Detective Isnora
puts his life
in harm's way every day
for the people of his community.
Judge, what I'm asking
the court to do...
let me rephrase; what I know
what this court is going to do
is do what is right
for this officer of the law.
And his colleagues--
please stand up.
Thank you.
[echoed shouting and chanting]
[rapping of gavel]
No one gets up
or says anything...
[doors clunk open]
...until I have read my verdict
and left the bench.
[suspenseful music]
[music intensifies]
[Sean] I love you.
[Nicole] I love you.
[music ends with a flourish]
[judge] The court finds
each defendant
not guilty of each
of the respective counts
in the indictment of which...
[man] Not guilty!
Not one of 'em guilty!
[angry clamor]
[grim music]
You're wrong and you know it!
What's wrong with that judge?
What's wrong with this system?
They're sending a message
to the Black man
that we can be
shot down in the street
without any justice.
It was planned, okay?
They walked almost 400 feet
to the sh**ting scene,
it's not even near...
They wanna talk about
Sean Bell's alcohol level,
and they don't talk
about the alcohol level
of the pigs who k*lled him!
Ask me why-- ask me why
Michael Vick goes to jail
for seven years
for k*lling a dog,
and the police that sh**t down
our people every day
don't go to jail,
ask me that!
This city is calm,
but it's only calm
on the surface.
We have no faith
in the justice system,
and if it wasn't for
the poise and restraint
and dignity of the family
of Nicole Paultre Bell
and the parents of the Bells,
this city would be
in flames right now.
We are respecting
the wishes of the family.
We respect the wishes
of the family,
so we're at peace right now.
But we won't stay like that,
okay?
[in echoing tone]
Remember that.
[Sharpton]
What there was today...
is what some of us expected.
What they will get tomorrow
is not what they expect.
We're gonna react
in a methodical
and serious way.
I feel justice was done today,
because we did not
break the law.
[Sharpton] We're gonna
engage in nonviolent
civil disobedience.
[voices murmur in assent]
If they're not gonna
lock up the guilty...
I just wanna thank the judge
for a fair and just decision.
...then they gon' have
to lock up the innocent.
[woman] Yes, Reverend!
People fighting for justice.
Ms. Paultre-Bell.
Can we hear from you also?
[woman] Ms. Bell.
What do you have to say?
[camera shutters snapping]
[dark music]
Today,
April 25th, 2008,
the justice system let us down.
I mean, it's like
they k*lled Sean
all over again.
[voices murmur in assent]
But you know what?
This is far from over.
[man] That's right.
[woman] We support you!
I'm still prayin' for justice.
And every march,
every rally, every protest,
I will be there,
front and center.
[woman] We'll be there with you!
[applause, shouts]
[Nicole] This is not over.
[applause, shouting]
[distant siren wails]
[faint chatter of police radio]
Hey.
Now that the trial is over,
how much longer
will the suspension last?
Well, the internal investigation
is still continuing.
So, as of now, I can work
to get you back on desk duty,
but that's about it.
We were just acquitted.
There's still
an internal process
as to whether or not
you broke protocol.
Are you saying there's a chance
I could never get my job back?
That's bullshit!
Isnora...
[sighs]
[traffic noises, faint clamor]
[police officer 1] I am
ordering you to leave
this roadway and sidewalk now.
If you do so voluntarily,
no charges will be pressed
against you.
[horns honking]
[police officer 2]
I am warning you
to leave this roadway
and sidewalk now.
If you do so voluntarily,
no charges will be pressed
against you.
[shouting, clamor]
If you refuse to leave,
you will be placed under arrest
and charged
with disorderly conduct.
If you do not wish
to be arrested,
you must leave this area now
by exiting to my left.
Do I make myself clear?
["Be Free" by J. Cole]
I'm in denial
And it don't take no x-ray
To see right through my smile
I know
I be on the go, uh
And there ain't
No drink out there
That can numb my soul
Oh no
All we wan' do
Is take the chains off
All we wan' do
Is break the chains off and
All we wan' do is be free
All we wan' do
Is take the chains off
All we wan' do
Is break the chains off and
All we wan' do is be free
All we wan' do is be free
All we wan' do
Is take the chains off
All we wan' do
Is break the chains off and
All we wan' do is be free
All we wan' do is be free
[pensive R&B music]
-Hey.
-Hey.
-You all right?
-I'm good.
You're good?
So, when do we go again?
[exclaims]
Uh, why don't we go get
something to eat first?
-See, that sounds good.
-Yeah.
Actually, I'm gonna wait
on the rest of the women.
[tender music]
-[women] Hey!
-[Nicole] Hey!
Thank you so much
for meeting me.
-I'm okay, are you okay?
-[woman] I'm good.
[Nicole] Did you guys
get everything?
[indistinct chatter]
[mellow R&B music]
[knocking]
-[woman] Hello.
-Hi.
[woman] Hi.
-My name is Nicole Bell.
-[woman] Yes.
I remember you.
How've you been?
I've been okay.
So, I have this petition,
trying to change the street name
to "Sean Bell Way."
Do you mind signing?
Not at all.
["Everything" by Ghost Kid]
[female singer]
I don't need money
I don't need fame, oh no
All I need
Is your love, yeah
It keeps me sane
If you wanna love me
Then I'll be right here
Baby, there's nothing
Above what we have here
Don't say goodbye
And worry about them
'Cause everything that we got
Is real
Baby, don't you go away
You're everything
For you're every single thing
That I ever need
Boy, don't you go away
'Cause I really love you
And I need you, baby
I need you, baby,
I need you baby
You are my everything
You're my everything
You are my everything
[Nicole] Hey, how y'all doin'?
Nicole, how are you?
He's expecting you.
-[Nicole] Thank you.
-Okay?
[door buzzes]
So, if the police commissioner
doesn't fire the officers,
is there anything else
we can do?
The internal investigation
is not complete yet.
[Nicole] It's been three years.
[Sandy] There are flaws
in our system.
But, unfortunately, it's
the system we have to play in.
[Nicole] I'm so tired
of hearing that, Sandy.
It's a system that only
works for the police.
[sighing]
I know.
[soft, tense music]
[attorney 1]
That's where we are right now.
[Nicole] No. No!
No, after all this time?
This can't be real.
[attorney 1] Well, sadly,
the case was too sloppy.
Elements of the crime scene
investigation were disorganized
when it came
to a federal indictment.
[attorney 2] There
were inaccurate markings
on the physical evidence,
such as the--the shell casings,
and accusations that there was
contamination of the evidence.
So, we don't know
what's true and what's not.
[Nicole] So, that's it.
They get to walk away, again?
[attorney 2] Um, I know
it seems unfair,
but that's the law.
[solemn music]
When Sean was shot
on our wedding day...
they took away my joy.
But also,
they took away the future
of my kids growing up
with their father.
Fifty shots was released
to his car.
He didn't have a weapon.
He didn't have anything.
Just our baby seats
and our wedding rings.
He was completely innocent.
The officer who initiated
the sh**ting,
whose colleagues followed suit.
This man was allowed to drink
and do whatever he needed to do
to blend into the scene.
Even a bus driver
who gets into an accident,
the first thing they do
is make them take
drug and alcohol tests.
So, why is this city agent,
this employee,
allowed to drink
while carrying a firearm?
Allowed to drink
and-and take someone's life?
We can't allow this.
[mournful music]
[hanger rattling]
[female television host]
Any comment on your
civil suit settlement?
[Nicole] I believe the civil
suit settlement was fair.
But, um, no amount of money
will ever provide closure.
For any of us.
But what I do wanna see
is see them on the stand.
You know? See them sweat.
Why is that so hard?
Jordyn! Jada!
Come on, ladies, you don't
want to be late for school.
After six long years, um,
I'm glad that Isnora
will finally be terminated,
and the other officers
will be resigning, um.
Accountability isn't justice,
but it's definitely
a step in the right direction.
Thank you.
[female television host]
In an open letter
to Trayvon Martin's mother,
Sybrina Fulton,
Nicole Bell states,
"God will not forsake you,
and through His grace
and mercy,
you will find
the strength to continue.
Please remember this:
Trayvon's death is
not in vain."
[Nicole] Eric Garner's family,
who I sit with today,
witnessed what happened to us,
how victims were
turned into villains.
But we are not going to allow
that to happen again.
[pensive music]
A recent study shows
that areas that have held
Black Lives Matter marches
have shown a notable decrease
in police killings.
That means that
people are alive today
because of everyone
who decided to march
in these peaceful protests.
I saw a statement
from one of our civil rights
leaders from the past
that said that they
participated
in the civil rights protests
from the past, so that
our children today will be able
to benefit off of it.
What we are doing here...
This is our moment,
this is our civil rights moment
And we have to make a change
so that not only
my grandchildren,
but our grandchildren's
grandchildren,
their sons, will be able
to make it home
from the bachelor party.
["Surrender" by Ghost Kid]
Lord, I surrender to You
[gentle music]
And I give you all of me
And I need
Your strength now
I do truly love You
I surrender
I humbly bow down
I surrender to You
I bow down
To Your will, Your will
Please hear my cry
[vocalizing]
O Lord, don't shy
Don't shy away
When You hear my voice
[vocalizing]
I need you, Jesus
-Lord, I surrender
-[singers] I surrender
-[male singer] I surrender
-[singers] I surrender
-[male singer] I surrender
-[singers] I surrender
[male singer] Ohh
To You
["Wait in Line" by Lanita Smith]
[female singer]
How does it feel
To be Black in America?
Where every day's
[indistinct] a miracle?
Another name on the lawn
Another candle in the wind
So, how long do we wait
While the world
Still looks away?
They tell us, have hope
But hope gets heavy
With bruised knees
But still we carry
Still we rise
Still we build
In beauty, rage, and grace
On the bones of our
Ancestors' space
We wait in line
We wait in line
'Cause they treat us like
It's not our home
How many times
we [indistinct] it along
Been oh-this-close
But so far gone
["What U Think" by Manny World]
[male singer]
Yeah, uh
[hip-hop music]
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I fear more for my life
When I see a cop
Than when I see a opp
What justify somebody
Firin' 50 shots
k*ll me 'cause I'm Black
Whether you k*ll me
For a chain or watch
Sean Bell, George Floyd
Same song
This sh*t gotta stop
To all the Black kids
Unborn
To all the Black kings
Unarmed that get harmed
To all the Black moms
I pray for you
With a Bible and Quran
In the Quran, they say pork
It's a rhyme, but we got
Pigs that's armed
A crazy world we live in
Where cops is the villains
And civilians
Become victims
Nicole Bell, I pray
For your children
I pray for your strength
And I pray for your healin'
Yeah
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Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story (2025)
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