A man who got into an argument with Sean Bell moments before he was shot by undercover cops testified today that he did not hear anyone threaten to “get a gun” – contradicting previous remarks he made to investigators about what he heard that night.
Fabio Coicou’s testimony undermined the defense of the three detectives on trial for unleashing a 50-shot barrage on Bell, who have built their case around the theory that undercover officers saw Coicou argue with Bell and that someone in the surrounding group said, “Yo, go get my gun!”
However, on cross-examination, Coicou had to defend himself from contrary statements he gave last year in meetings with prosecutors and in two appearances before the grand jury.
Anthony Ricco, who represents Detective Gescard Isnora, asked Coicou if he remembered telling prosecutors in January 2007 that he heard someone say, “We’ll get the gat” – slang for a gun.
Coicou, 30, said: “I don’t recall that. I don’t remember anyone saying that and I don’t recall that statement.”
Coicou is testifying in the trial of three detectives charged in connection with Bell’s death. Detective Michael Oliver, 36, and Isnora, 29, are accused of manslaughter. Detective Marc Cooper faces reckless endangerment charges.
The defense contends that the undercover cops witnessed a confrontation between Coicou and Bell after the strip club closed. During the argument, witnesses have said that one of Bell’s friends talked about getting a gun – a remark overheard by Isnora and another undercover officer who were standing nearby.
Coicou testified in Queens Supreme Court this morning that he started talking to Bell and his friends after they heard him make a remark under his breath.
“I said, ‘Alcohol is taking control of individuals,’ ” Coicou recalled, as Bell and his friends carried on outside the Jamaica jiggly joint.
Bell and his friends heard him.
Coicou said Bell responded, “Alcohol is not getting control of me.”
Asked if they appeared drunk, Coicou said, “I can’t tell if anyone was drunk. I didn’t have a Breathalyzer.”
The argument escalated.
“We were chest to chest,” Coicou said of Bell.
Coicou, who had both his hands tucked in his vest pockets, also recalled telling Bell he was “not here to fight.”
During cross-examination, Coicous said he “kept his hands in his pocket to demonstrate peace.”
The conversation came to an end when Coicou told the men he was from Far Rockaway, the same Queens neighborhood where Guzman lived.