Claim Big Public Response
DEA Defense Fund For 'Bell' Cops

By REUVEN BLAU

The Detectives' Endowment Association has created a defense fund for the three Detectives charged with the fatal shooting of Sean Bell last November.

MICHAEL J. PALLADINO: An indictment backlash.

DEA President Michael J. Palladino said the union established the account after "we received an overwhelming amount of calls from the non-police public who wanted to donate to the defense of the Detectives - finding the indictments appalling."

Surprised by Support

The calls, e-mails, and letters of support have come from people across the nation, he noted. "I'm a little taken aback by the amount of support from people not only in our own state but from people outside as well," he said.

On March 19, undercover Det. Gescard F. Isnora, who fired the first shot, and Det. Michael Oliver, who fired 31 shots, were charged with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.

Det. Marc Cooper, who fired four times, was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. He faces up to one year in prison if convicted.

Not everyone, however, has backed the officers' cause. Many local African-American community leaders have praised the grand jury's decision. They contend that the undercover Detective outside the Jamaica, Queens strip club Kalua Cabaret last Nov. 25 startled Mr. Bell, who didn't realize he was a cop.

Mr. Bell was killed in the shooting and two of his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, were each shot multiple times by the barrage of 50 rounds fired by the five officers.

Says He ID'ed Himself

Detective Isnora, however, testified before the grand jury that he was wearing his badge around his neck and clearly identified himself, according to reports.

Mr. Palladino said that the fund was really in its "infancy" stages. "We are still in the process of finalizing a legal team, so we really haven't gotten a good handle what the costs will be," he remarked. "But it's imperative that we fund a good solid defense; not only for the Detectives involved, but for all members of the NYPD."

The union has received a letter of encouragement from someone in Georgia and has gotten several similar messages from people living on the West Coast, he added.

'A Chilling Effect'

The union president has called the charges "excessive" and predicted that they would have a "chilling effect" on other officers. "It is every police officer's worst nightmare to be labeled a 'defendant,' and this was an emotion-filled and somber day for the union," the DEA's Web site states, "and a dark day for all members of the New York Police Department, as well as for law-enforcement officers throughout the United States."

The fund and the mailing address have so far only been publicized on the DEA's Web site: www.nycdetectives.org . Mr. Palladino said that the union will be looking into other ways to help the officers. "But it has to be specifically clear that any monies that do come in have to be earmarked for the defense of these Detectives and only for the defense of these Detectives," he said.