Al Sharpton convicted of disorderly conduct

updated 4:06 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2008

NEW YORK - A judge has convicted the Rev. Al Sharpton of disorderly conduct during protests over a police shooting and sentenced the civil rights leader to time served.

Criminal Court Judge James Stephen issued the verdict Wednesday against Sharpton and seven other activists. Sharpton has already served 5 1/2 hours in jail.

About 250 protesters were arrested in May for blocking bridges, tunnels and intersections in response to the police killing of Sean Bell on his wedding day.

Most of the cases were dismissed, but Sharpton and his co-defendants had insisted on a trial.

Sharpton testified Monday that the protests were peaceful, saying: "We wanted to stop violence, not cause violence."

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