Sharpton Rejects Plea Deal in Disorderly Conduct Case

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

The Rev. Al Sharpton rejected a non-jail plea offer today and instead will go to trial in September on a disorderly conduct charge related to protest demonstrations over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man on his wedding day.

Sharpton turned down an offer to plead guilty to the violation - the equivalent of a traffic ticket - in exchange for the 5 1/2 hours he was held after his arrest May 7, when he and scores of others were arrested for blocking intersections to protest the acquittals of three officers in the Sean Bell shooting.

Most of the protesters were charged with disorderly conduct for blocking traffic or refusing orders to disperse.

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