here has all of Mychal Bell’s support gone?
The young man and five others, all of whom are black, drew international acclaim, including support from the Teche Area, when they at first faced criminal charges ranging up to attempted murder for beating a white student unconscious in 2007.
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The September 2007 march included a stop by the Jena courthouse in a symbolic show of support for Bell, who was still in jail at the time for his role in the beating. Bell eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree battery for his role in the attack and was sentenced to 18 months in the custody of the Office of Youth Development for his part in the crime.
Bell also served a sentence for three previous unnamed crimes.
Attempted murder charges were reduced for all involved in the beating.
Bell’s name was back in the news this week when he shot himself in the chest Monday at his Monroe home with a .22-caliber weapon. Monroe Police Department Sgt. Cassandra Wooten said Bell shot himself because “he said he couldn’t take it anymore; he was back in the media again.”
Bell, whose injuries were not described as life threatening, needs to look in the mirror and realize his name is only in the headlines because he keeps letting it be there. He is free on bond following a Christmas Eve arrest for shoplifting, resisting arrest and simple battery, related to an incident at a Monroe Dillard’s.
Newspaper reports said police arrested Bell after he and an unidentified male were spotted by store security placing $370 worth of merchandise in a Dillard’s shopping bag. A chase ensued. After Bell left the store, he is accused of striking a glancing blow to the security officer seeking his apprehension.
Maybe Bell was surprised 15,000 people didn’t come to his rescue and protest outside Monroe lockup on Christmas Eve. Maybe, he had come to expect such treatment as normal for a teenager who always seems to be in trouble with the law.
Unfortunately, Bell is realizing there is nothing special that distinguishes him from the thousands of other teenagers across this country who were dealt a tough lot in life and can’t seem to push through it.
For Bell, the crowds and good will are gone. The only thing left are criminal charges, ones that will be tougher to beat because he is 18 years old and the days of being treated as a juvenile are over.
STEPHEN HEMELT
city editor
Comments
Max wrote on Jan 14, 2009 6:11 PM:
Whats next wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:17 PM:
Some Still Dont Understand wrote on Jan 11, 2009 11:15 PM:
Dear Rev. Raymond Brown wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:53 PM:
In His Name,
American Woman "
Jay wrote on Jan 4, 2009 1:17 PM:
Mychal Bell's charges of attempted murder were pure injustice. Thousands of Blacks went to Jena to protest just that, injustice. This incident is unrelated and there is no need to for protest. Mychal Bell was wrong both times, but the first time, the assault was not deserving of an attempted murder charge.
It is people like you, a city editor, who continue to invoke racism in the people of New Iberia. Suggesting that Black people simply follow blind causes is what you want your people to continue to think. "
Rev. Raymond Brown wrote on Jan 4, 2009 3:14 AM:
focused on Rev. Al Sharpton
and Mychal Bell. However, we focused our attention on social justice and our fight to end racism in Louisiana, and around Country. You fail to discuss the racial
disparity in Jena, Mychal Bell is famous, he is not rich, or middle class like some people are. pray. "