After a five week trial a verdict against NYC City and Brooklyn NYPD Inspector John Chell was announced. The Jury determined that Chell “intentionally discharged” his firearm, killing 25-year-old Ortanzso Bovell on August 7th 2008.

Bovell’s mother has been awarded $2.5million

Bovell was apparently found breaking into a Mustang, he tried to speed off and sideswiped the officer. The officer claimed that he fell and his weapon discharged as he did. This claim was supported by witnesses but the jury still did not believe it.

Jon Norinsberg, the attorney for Bovell’s mother Lorna Wright-Bovell said:

“He maintained that he started to fall and the gun went off,.. But we proved that the ballistics contradicted this — that the shooting had to be done by someone firing from a standing position.”

Wright-Bovell said the verdict brings some kind of closure and said:

“I’m not saying my son didn’t do anything wrong — but they could have arrested him,… Don’t kill him.”

She said that she “completely forgave” Officer Chell for the actions!