From the Associated Press:
JENA, La. (AP) — A judge on Friday denied a request to release a teenager whose arrest in the beating of a white classmate sparked this week’s civil rights protest in Louisiana. Mychal Bell’s request to be freed while an appeal is being reviewed was rejected at a juvenile court hearing, effectively denying him any chance at immediate bail, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because juvenile court proceedings are closed.
Earlier, Bell’s mother emerged from the hearing in tears, refusing to comment.
This is beyond unbelievable. Or maybe not. The Jena Courts seem intent on giving the middle finger to any notion of decency. What kills is that had Bell been tried in Juvenile Court, as he should have been in the first case, he would have more than likely served his time, paid his dues, and been getting on with his life by now. It’s as if the Jena Courts are determined to send a message: “The DA is right. Protest all you want, but we will still destroy you with a stroke of our pens.” It is clear now that Federal intervention is needed. The Governor, Kathleen Blanco, won’t can’t1 touch this;. the LA. Appellate Courts have made it clear that the situation is afoul by their recent decisions; and yet, the Local Jena Courts persist with what I can only understand as a crusade to destroy black lives. Fortunately John Conyers is planing to hold Congressional hearings on the matter. It is imperative, now more than ever, that the pressure is kept on.
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Not defending Blanco, but remember, she actually can’t touch this according to Louisiana law. (“Everyone’s a fucking Napoleon” … or something or other.) I’m talking to some people about how to proceed, and will drop you a line as soon as I hear back from them.
[...] As Carmen D. points out, “He has been in jail since DECEMBER 2006“. Kevin’s right: “The Jena Courts seem intent on giving the middle finger to any notion of decency. [...]
Mychal Bell To Remain Imprisoned; Pushback Gets Ridiculous…
by matttbastard
x-posted @ Comments From Left Field
So tell me again why Mychal Bell is still in jail (other than his complexion)? As Carmen D. points out, “He has been in jail since DECEMBER 2006“. Kevin’s right: “The Jena Cou…
From what I am seeing from the local papers, Kevin, they are using Mychal Bell’s past criminal record as a means to smear him.
Witness this comment sent to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser forums today:
All fine and good…if you happen to forget the fact that Bell has already been in jail for almost a whole year during the course of this case; and that the courts have already ruled that he cannot be held as an adult for the count he was orignally charged with.
Just another case of uptown Klan justice, I figure.
Unfortunately, due to the Napoleonic Code that Louisiana relies on for their civil and legal statutes, Governor Kathleen Blanco can’t intervene to commute Bell’s sentence; and I’m figuring that the Louisiana Legislature probably won’t be particularly helpful. So, it’s up to the Louisiana Supreme Court to do the right thing; otherwise, the fix is simply in.
Our criminal “Just-Us” system…working as it always has been to screw Black people.
But never mind that….MoveOn.org got censured by the Senate and the President; let’s rally around that rather than the lives of real people!!
Where’s the outrage, people???
Anthony
Oh yeah. You’re right. Sorry, mistype on my part which I’ve corrected for accuracy. Definitely let me know what you here, Scott.
I’d like to know what the circumstances surrounding Bell’s criminal record are. Judging from this case, it seems probable that Bell’s battery convictions are part and parcel of business as usual in the Jena justice system. Several white kids have started fights throughout all of this. How many of them have been arrested and convicted of battery?
No decency whatsoever.
I read a probation revocation proceeding that’s pending could be preventing his release. He was put on probation for a Dec 2005 battery that’s not up until Jan 2008. That or his July 2006 or September 2006 offenses could trigger a probation revocation proceeding. There may not be bail on a probation violation.
If this kind of bullshit continues with the five others without records, it’s time to riot.
yall need to free the jena six kids because yall are holding people that did not do anything plus it is all racism and they still don’t reconize this yet and all i’m asking is that yall free them young gentelmens because they have a furture ahead of them.
Does anybody have the address to the facility where Mychal is being held? If so PLEASE email it to me at smrtblnd_2000@msn.com
Thanks so much!
I am apart of a student organization in Arizona, and we would like to mail letters of support to Mychal while he remains in waiting!
Mychal Bell
Inmate, A-Dorm
LaSalle Correctional Center
15976 Highway 165
Olla, LA 71465-4801
If you or anyone you know is able to donate, you can send a check directly to:
The Jena 6 Defense Committee
PO Box 2798, Jena, LA 71342.
I know you all love a cause and that the Jena 6 are little angels regardless of Mycal Bell’s record…..when this kid turns adult and does something real bad, his victim’s blood will be on your hands. They knocked a kid out with a blind shot to the head and began to kick him with shod foot (deadly weapon). Regardless of what led to the beating, violence is not the answer. Martin Luther King would be outraged that instead of condoning this violence like Sharpton is doing, people did not intervene earlier and work to cool the tensions in this racially divided town. I’m reading messages on this board about people looking to riot?? Everythnig has gone the way of violence…….the message is lost. Remeber Racism knows no color. 6 blacks beating up on 1 white is a racist crime. So Sharpton and all of you are supporting racism. Wake up people. Do you think the friends and family are going to be pleased as punch that one of theirs was beaten by 6 people that get let off with sealed records?? This is exactly what fuels racism. That is why Martin Luther King remained non-violent.
Matt – First of all, you lose.
Second of all, NO ONE has condoned any violence. And that no one intervened earlier in this case is half the point. You are talking out of your ass.
So, I kindly ask you to shut the fuck up and go away.
I don’t see why people are going crazy over this Bell Guy. I’m black and I believe that gutter trash should be in jail where he belongs. With him in jail the streets of Jena are safe. I guarantee you that the scum will be back in jail within a year.
Nice try, Chris. I don’t give a shit if you’re black. You’re still talking out of your ass.
The streets of Jena are safe, huh? Yeah, safe for white folks to keep black folks in their place. Wouldn’t want those uppity negroes sitting under their trees or going to their parties, now would we?
Question: If it is proven that the LA District Attorney’s office has incorrectly used his authority against Mychal Bell. Can the charged in the past by the LA District Attorney request to have their cases revisited or be set free from jail? And, it is proven that Mychal Bell’s past records were fairly applied against him.
There should be consistent sentences for each crime depending on how many prior convictions that you have. There should be a complete breakdown and chart that is precisely followed. Five convictions and you become an instant “organ donor”. This way you give back to society.
If any of you knew what really happened in Jena you would shut your mouths. All you are doing is making things worse for Bell. Go to pursuing holiness and look at the documents for your self. Read the testimonys see what really happened at Gotta go and the fairbarn. Blogs like these along with a one sided media story along with Liar Sharpton made your decisions. I WONDER IF YOU CAN MAKE ONE FOR YOURSELVES…………….