Although three of them - Detectives Gescard F. Isnora, Michael Oliver and Marc Cooper - were acquitted of criminal charges in Queens on Friday, they and their three colleagues are still facing the specter of a federal civil rights investigation, and the possibility of being brought up on departmental charges.
Therefore, all six officers remain in limbo, working without their guns and badges.
"It's devoutly hoped that if the federal government is going to look at this, that they do so expeditiously and in good faith," said Stephen C. Worth, a lawyer for Officer Michael Carey, who was not indicted but is under the same scrutiny now as the three acquitted detectives.
"These officers deserve to have their careers taken off hold," Mr. Worth added.
I certainly don't doubt that a lawsuit could be on the horizon from the Bell family. This was just the beginning for these officers. They might have received a not guilty verdict on Friday, but they do face more scrutiny down the road.
