Bell supporters going to Feds

Supporters of Sean Bell plan to take their case to Justice Department if the police officers accused in his shooting death are acquitted.

Awaiting verdict from Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman, Bell's family and friends gathered Monday along with members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for a rally at Caanan Baptist Church in Harlem.

"There will never be justice for me. In my heart, there never will be, because I'm always going to hurt," said Bell's father William. "So how can I get justice?"

Sanford Rubenstein, attorney for the shooting victims, said that he will bring his case to the federal government if that's what is needed to get justice.

"We are aware of the fact that the federal government is monitoring this trial," said Rubenstein. "And in the event there is no conviction, certainly we will request the federal government, the U.S. attorney, to look at this case with a view towards civil rights violations."

Lawyers for the accused detectives claimed at the trial that the officers opened fire because they thought their lives were in danger. There is precedent for a federal civil rights trial. Officer Francis Livoti was acquitted of killing Anthony Baez in 1994 -- but was later found guilty in a federal trial.

Cooperman will render his verdict Friday.