Wesley Snipes guilty...sentenced to 3 years on misdemeanor IRS charges...The three cops accused of killing Sean Bell are acquitted! What's wrong with this picture? How does this happen? Well, I've already talked about why this happened in Wesley's case and I must speak on the Sean Bell case.

It is hard to believe that these three cops were acquitted of this heinous act on the eve of what was to be Sean Bell's wedding. With today's not guilty verdict, I am now more amazed that this case went to trial at all. Why not just say that the homicide was justifiable at the Grand Jury rather than spending tax payer money for an outcome that had already been decided. The picture of the bullet-riddled car is evidence in and of itself that Sean Bell was murdered in what is akin to the Sonny Corleone hit! Mind boggling! Simply mind boggling!

But, it appears that more times that naught, members of the fraternal order of law enforcement when facing criminal indictments, opt to have bench rather than jury trials! According to an article on Law.com,"The U.S. Constitution may guarantee the right to a jury trial, but as the verdicts in the Sean Bell case proved once more on Friday, that does not always make it the best option."

Here are some reasons reported for bench rather than jury trials:

1. Emotions that law enforcement officials stir in certain jurisdictions. (Translation: if your in law enforcement and beat the s*it out of a (black)somebody or even kill them, opt for a bench trial and you'll probably get off).

2. Judges make decisions purely on the facts and the law. (Translation: if you are in law enforcement and beat the s*it out of a (black)somebody or even kill them, opt for a bench trial and you'll probably walk).

3. The court is objective and allows questions of carelessness or incompetence to other forums. (Translation: if you are in law enforcement and beat the s*it out of a (black)somebody or even kill them, opt for a bench trial and you'll probably be able to watch the evening news about the verdict at home).

4. The judge's reputation landing the case, whether the charges turn on a complex legal issue and/or ramifications of race. (Translation: if you are in law enforcement and beat the s*it out of a (black)somebody or even kill them, opt for a bench trial and you'll probably be able to have a beer tonight with your boys).

Perhaps, justice for Sean Bell, his family, his children will come as it did for Rodney King if and when federal charges are brought. One can only hope that they are not given yet another opportunity to beat the s*it out of another (black)somebody or even kill them and "cap" it off with a cup of coffee and a *(d)unking donut.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner('s Place) ain't got nothing more to say. ~~SjP

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