NY officer files countersuit against Sean Bell estate

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From NBCNewYork

A New York City police officer acquitted of the fatal shooting of Sean Bell, who was killed on his wedding day, has filed suit against the man’s estate, saying he was injured by the husband-to-be before his death.

Officer Michael Carey claims he suffered severe leg injuries after a drunk Sean Bell got behind the wheel of a car after leaving his bachelor’s party in 2006. Carey claims his injuries happened before the hail of police gunfire that brought down the unarmed Bell.

Carey’s lawsuit was filed in Brooklyn federal court last week in response to a wrongful death suit brought by Bell’s family against Carey and the other officers involved.

Three detectives — Marc Cooper, Gescard Isnora and Michael Oliver — were acquitted by a Queens judge of criminal charges stemming from the 50-shot barrage of police gunfire that killed Bell and seriously wounded two friends. The officers said they believed Bell was armed.

In the counter-claim, his lawyer says Carey “suffered serious leg injury when [Bell] crashed into the vehicle he was riding in before Officer Carey ever drew his gun and fired a shot.”

The countersuit comes after Bell’s fiancee, Nicole Paultre Bell, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NYPD and New York City.

Copyright Associated Press