Why Lee must be freed! Thursday, Jun 4 2009

Where do we go from here?! -Email- – relative to intervening on the present system. Someone has to make the sacrifice on behalf of the speechless.  This is Louisiana. 

3rd official admits guilt
By JOE GYAN JR.
Advocate staff writer
Published: Nov 3, 2009
The longtime chief investigator for the local Public Defender’s Office admitted Monday to bribing a senior city prosecutor and other court officials to fix criminal and traffic cases in City Court and state District Court in Baton Rouge. Public Defense statewide should go on alert.  Especially so, since Jean Faria has admitted state public defense is still under-funded.  *Since, the La. AG is the de-facto defense attorney for state agencies, intervention is necessitated in the federal level.   

3Nov2009-Several Court appearances have been docketed for Lee, since the 2Aug post.  On August 19th from the OCC @ 9am via closed circuit.  On October 12th @ 9am, which was put-off to November 9th.  The attorney-of-record, a public defender, was in 4th District Court in Morehouse. In late October Lee was re-booked on a battery charge.  *Whatever the outcome of the original charges, now additional charges must be dealt with.

Ramifications?
Lee was attacked the last week of July by an inmate who has been incarcerated since January 2008, according to the inmate’s affadavit of pc. As of then, Lee had spoke with the court-appointed attorney only once- July 8th.

At the end of last week, Assistant District Attorney Mike Ruddick, who keeps up with the numbers, said pretrial detainees numbered 541. Of that number, only 51 inmates had been there for 11 months or more. Of that number, 36 are awaiting trials while the remainder have been found incompetent to proceed and are awaiting open beds at East Feliciana Forensic facility at Jackson.

4thJDC2Aug09
Lee is held currently in Ouachita Correctional Center, near Monroe, Louisiana.

A Public Defender has been assigned to Lee. However, as of today’s date June 16th 2009, that person assigned to assist Lee in his defense, has not talked with Lee. This is the norm! It was the norm in 2001 and it is the norm in 2009. Since the alledged reforms of the indigent defense apparatus in Louisiana; still, defendants wait. Lee’s next court date is 1 July 2009.  “What avenues must be pursued to access justice. Is it justice in play, when such a scenario as this can occur at this day and time. Still there must be a ‘revamping of the judicial process’ in Louisiana & America. How is ‘justice prevailing’ in a system such as this?” We shall see who will step in.

Will Lee receive ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL in the Criminal Justice System? Was there a set-up involved, seeing that the forty-two year-old suspect is attempting to lessen his penalty? Federal agents have questioned 19 year-old Lee!

Media intensity?-Why?

Lee was apprehended on the morning of May 8, 2009 with two individuals at a convenience store on US 165 South/MLK,Jr. Blvd in South Monroe. The affadavit of pc concerning Lee declares to the police, that he knew nothing of what the other two men with him had in mind.

Lee was the driver of the vehicle. The affadavit of probable cause cites video surveillance of the two suspects in the store. That video does not include Lee.

Was Lee a victim of circumstance? Did Lee drive away from the scene in fear of his life? Lee states under Miranda his not taking part in the robbery.

Lee, did not conspire with the other two men to commit armed robbery or any other crime. Lee went to S. Monroe to go clubbing. The nightclub FACES is directly across the four lane from the convenience store.

Will Lee be afforded – equal protection under the law – in the Indigent Defense System of Louisiana. Oh yes, the look on Lee’s face? The camera was hounding for his mug. Why?

Lee may be guilty of something, but it is not armed robbery -use of a firearm; or criminal conspiracy. And that’s final.
********************************************
News Story update June 23, 2009 | By Matthew Hamilton • mhamilton@monroe.gannett.com • May 14, 2009
********************************************
A Bastrop man charged with the armed robbery of a Shell gas station last week is a suspect in a string of armed robberies from Louisiana to the Arkansas line.

Maj. Don Bartley said Monroe police charged 43-year-old Benjamin B. Ware on Wednesday with the armed robbery of the Circle K convenience store at 1407 Sterlington Road. Bartley said a man came into the store May 5 with his face covered with a towel and brandished a black pistol. He demanded money and took an undetermined amount of cash.

The robbery victim later identified Ware in a photo lineup, and a search of Ware’s house revealed clothing identical to the suspect’s clothes in the store’s video surveillance, Bartley said.

Ware was already booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at a Shell gas station near Wossman on Friday. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery when he was taken into custody.

Two other suspects were charged in the Friday robbery.

Ware may face still more charges as police departments in Bastrop and Crossett, Ark. investigate his involvement in other robberies.
Capt. Curtis Stephenson with the Bastrop police confirmed Ware is a person of interest in two armed robberies and a failed armed robbery that occurred last week.

On May 6, an armed robber struck the Check Into Cash payday loan center on 933 E Madison Ave., in Bastrop. On the same day, an armed robber took an undetermined amount of money from the EZ Mart convenience store on 1231 N. Washington St., Bastrop.

The day before, a gunman walked into the Shoe Show store at 2031 E. Madison Ave., Bastrop, but the store clerk left before the gunman could demand money, according to Stephenson.

He said the spate of robberies was unprecedented during his time with Bastrop police.

“We’ve never had anything like that happen here in that short a period of time,” Stephenson said.
Crossett Police Investigator Shelbi Hughes said Ware is the lead suspect in an armed robbery in the southern Arkansas town.
Hughes said an armed robber took money from the Factory Connection around 5:42 p.m. on May 7.
She said she soon expects to charge Ware with the armed robbery.
“We still have to do a few more things, but that’s where we’re headed,” Hughes said.

****************MORE*****MORE**************
May 8, 2009
Three from Bastrop arrested in connection with armed robbery at Wossman Shell
By Johnny Gunter
jgunter@thenewsstar.com
********************************************
Three Bastrop residents were arrested in connection with an armed robbery early Friday morning.

One of them is accused of attempted first-degree murder after the convenience store attendant was shot in the leg because he couldn’t open the store’s safe.

Benjamin B. Ware, 43, was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Two others arrested for armed robbery and criminal conspiracy are Lee A. XXXXXXX, 19, and XXXXXXX E. XXXXXXXXX, 22. No bond had been set Friday.

Police received a call at 3:45 a.m. from the Wossman Shell convenience store at 1601 U.S. 165 South and a witness provided a description of the suspects and the pickup truck they were using that had temporary tags.

Maj. Don Bartley said the vehicle was stopped on U.S. 165 North headed toward Bastrop at the Brookshire’s grocery store where the three were apprehended. “Two guns and the money were recovered and other items tying them to the robbery,” Bartley said.

Bartley said the victim was carried to St. Francis Medical Center “where he appeared to be OK.” The victim’s name was not released.

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6 Feet of Water in Evangeline-Marcus Jason Saturday, May 31 2008

8 May 2009

An appellate court has overturned a man’s conviction on a terrorizing charge that stemmed from a March 2007 fight at a basketball tournament in Mamou.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeal reversed Marcus James Jason’s conviction and vacated his sentence citing the state’s failure to prove certain elements of the crime. A state judge initially sentenced Jason in August 2008 to serve 10 years at hard labor with three years suspended on the terrorizing conviction.

According to court records, Marcus Jason attacked Michael Fontenot, a coach of the Sacred Heart Elementary School’s 10-year-old boys’ basketball team. Records show the attack came without any apparent provocation.

Injustice is in the eye of the beholder.  Today, in Evangeline Parish Court a Black man – [facing 20 years]- was convicted of crimes of violence.  Court documents say the convicted man came to a school and beat a white man, for what some would say was for no reason at all.  Convicted on terrorism charges, the public still awaits the finding’s on NOOSE’S HUNG ON TWO BLACK Church Doors, only weeks before the trial began.   One of the jurors, a black woman was a relative to one of the Church’s Pastor, where a Noose was hung!
Nooses Placed Outside Church
The jury consisted of the lone black woman & all others were white.

The above video, by a white minstry, exemplifies the mentality that exists in this part of Evangeline Parish.  As for the Nooses which were hung on two black churches near Bayou Chicot, an unincorporated area of the parish.  The Sheriff stated to news media he had idea’s of whom the culprits were, that hung the nooses.  In the meanwhile Marcus Jason was convicted, today Friday May 30th 2008.  As Jason has stated on numerous occassions to many,  an Evangeline Parish School employee pyschologically injured his son in an incident during school.  [The boy was physically, manhandled & molestedly injured.]

Reports have it that the same-[coach]- teacher, has “put his hands on” other children, but the school system as of this day, have yet to deal appropriately with the “parish school’s employee”.  Other parents have written statements, notarized as to the situation with the-[coach]- teacher. 

As it was in Jena – it is in Evangeline Parish Courts – UNEQUAL JUSTICE!! – White men can mistreat black children and get a way with it.   In fact, individuals who protested in Jena have been to Ville Platte, protesting at the Ville Platte Police Department.  New York’s King Downing of the ACLU & Raymond Brown of New Orleans, both were in Jena and have been to Ville Platte, the parish seat.  King Downing was, in fact observing in Jena on the day of Marcus Jason’s conviction, as attorneys for 5 of the Jena Six sought to have Judge J. P. Mauffray recused.  It should also be known that, George Fisher was also in Jena the day of Jason’s conviction and immediate incarceration.  Black women in Ville Platte, were weeping into the midnight, by some reports.  A $175,000.00  post conviction bond has been placed on Jason. 

This situation is further entangled with the recent protest against the Ville Platte P.D., the Chief of Police is black.  However, on this week a ministerial group came out in support of the Chief.  The main proponent of the ministerial group, a black pastor, is related to the lone black juror & to one of the pastor’s of a church where the noose’s were hung! 

The story has it that Jason and his brother had went to the school to see his daughter play in a sports event.  The-[coach]- teacher, who had “acted inappropriately” with Marcus Jason’s son, was there, and smirked an aggravating grin at Jason.  A fight ensued, between the two men.  Others became involved including Jason’s brother; who is doing time for his role.  The white men sued for injuries and now both brothers are locked away.  In a Rotary Club meeting, it was stated that the ” Department of Justice” – federal authorities – didn’t want another Jena!!  Jena is not finshed yet, as recent court proceedings attest  and here, before State Representative Hardy’s Noose bill, can barely become effective, we have all the makings of another Jena!!  Again, the quesition is about the unequality of justice!!

According to parish authorities, the US Attorney has already been to Bayou Chicot.  The Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service is aware of the Bayou Chicot Noose’s  and a black man has been convicted of beating a white man, on what some would say was Confederate Memorial Day.

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Aryan Circle in Bastrop?!Jena Conex Monday, Aug 20 2007

 Bastrop Shooting Suspects Get Attorneys(August – 17 – 2007)  VIDEO

BASTROP (TV8) – Also today – Alex Brendle and Chrystal Harrell went before a Morehouse Parish judge.
They are two of the three suspects charged with helping Tonya Smith get away… after the shootings of Detectives Smith and Wilson.
TV-8’s Dustin Barnes was at the courthouse today, and met with Toyna Smith’s appointed attorney:

Alex Brendle of Mer Rouge and Crystal Harrell of Collinston left the Morehouse Parish Courthouse after both pled “not guilty” to charges over last Friday’s shootout in which two Bastrop police detectives died along with their accused killer.Two emergency medical technicians were wounded in the shootout at the Budget Inn in downtown Bastrop.

Brendle and Harrell are both charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to first degree murder, two counts of accessory after the fact to attempted first degree murder, and obstruction of justice.

 

Brendle is also charged with possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Judge Scott Leehy set bond for Brendle at one-million dollars, and for Harrell at 350-thousand.

A third suspect–Michael Coleman of Bastrop–will be arraigned next week. All three are represented by indigent defenders.

Asst. District Attorney Dion Young says “they were appointed judges and attorneys and the other individual Coleman will be in the courtroom Tuesday with his attorney Murray.”

Meanwhile, Monroe Attorney Louis Scott has been appointed to represent Tonya Smith, the girlfriend of Dennis Clem, the man accused of killing the detectives. The couple was wanted for questioning in connection with a double homicide last month in the Houston area.

Both Clem and Alex Brendle are reputed members of a white supremacist group called the Aryan Circle.

Tonya Smith fled Bastrop after last Friday’s shootout but was caught Sunday by a U-S Marshal’s Task Force in Harris County, Texas.

Tonya Smith, charged with two counts of first degree murder, is now in a Texas jail awaiting extradition to Louisiana.

Louis Scott says “I have been verbally notified that i will represent her.”

Scott says based on the facts, it’s doubtful Tonya Smith can be convicted of first degree murder.

Scott says “I read a report that she reported the incident to the hotel clerk and asked the hotel clerk to call 911 so that doesn’t sound like the reaction of someone who was guilty or wanted someone to be killed.”

(Reporter standup:)
Scott says based on Smith’s nationality, it is unlikely that she is a member of the white supremacist group The Aryan Circle. However, if she is, it would have no relevance to the case. The case would be based on if she committed the crime.

Scott says “it doesn’t seem logically because she is alleged to be Hispanic and or American Indian origin so i doubt seriously that someone of that background would be a member of a white supremacist group.”

Scott says he is unaware when Smith will be brought back Bastrop for arraignment.

He says a Texas judge has given her 14 days to be extradited.

Dustin Barnes, TV8 News
 

Smith set a lifelong example of dedication and friendship

By WES HELBLING
Published: Saturday, August 18, 2007 3:29 PM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page

For those who had the privilege to know him, Detective Sgt. John Smith’s devotion to service and family was matched only by his loyalty in friendship.

The world has many different ways of saying good-bye, the Rev. David Campbell, Jr. told the audience who gathered to pay their respects at First Baptist Church on Saturday morning. Smith and Detective Sgt. Chuck Wilson were killed by a member of a white supremacist group on Aug. 10 at the Best Budget Inn. The suspect believed to be responsible for shooting the detectives died in a later exchange of gunfire with police officers.

But how do you say good-bye? As simple as it is, good-bye is a hard word to say to a great detective, husband, father and friend,” Campbell said.

People who knew Smith can say good-bye with grace and strength, Campbell concluded.

Bastrop Mayor Clarence Hawkins drew a parallel between the friendship of Smith and fellow Detective Sgt. Chuck Wilson, and the coming together of citizens to memorialize both men.

“John and Chuck gave us an example of working together, and it’s phenomenal and amazing that they departed together,” Hawkins said, adding that the service was “an historic moment for Bastrop, in more ways than one.”

Hawkins thanked Smith’s wife, Leslie, for sharing him with the community and asked the audience for a standing round of applause for Smith’s performance on the stage of public duty.

Bastrop Police Chief Allen Freeman described Smith as “one of the finest officers I’ve known,” a man who loved life and was dedicated to work and family.

“If I had a hundred officers like him, this town wouldn’t know crime,” Freeman said.

Freeman added he couldn’t talk about Smith as a co-worker apart from Smith as a friend.

“He was just awesome. John and Chuck were always putting their lives in harm’s way when someone needed help,” Freeman said. “John was always there for anyone who needed him.”

Speaking on behalf of the police department, Freeman said, “We stand together, and we feel the pain together.”

Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Mike Tubbs told a story that illustrated both Smith’s professionalism and his sense of humor. In the early days of both their careers, Tubbs recalled riding patrol with Smith one night in a brand new squad car.

“This young man ran into us, and we didn’t have a warrant on him, but John was sure he had done something. So we took him into custody. Then we couldn’t get the car to move. It turned out the guy had cut all four tires. I looked in the back seat, and John was already sentencing the guy,” Tubbs said as the audience laughed.

“John was a winner,” Tubbs added. “When he left to go the hotel that day, he was still a winner.”

The Rev. Steven Conley encouraged Smith’s friends and family to emulate the example set by Smith, and to find hope in the faith they share.

“Someday there is going to be a reunion,” Conley said. “We will see John again.”

Bastrop, Louisiana is a city of twelve-thousand.   But, we must realize that our society is in a state of extreme flux.  On both ends of the pole, blacks & whites are flexing there muscles of determination.  On the one hand white folk are attempting to regain, in a stealth kind of way the ground that was lost during & since the sixties.  We, as black folk don’t believe the struggle was ever over, and recent events such as Jena, says that it wasn’t finished.   The connection between Jena, Louisiana & the Bastrop Police shootings is the fact that the young white woman who got from Bastrop after Clem blasted her way out of the city limits.

[From the Bastrop Enterprise - August 17, 2007]

“Three suspects arrested as accessories in the shooting deaths of two detectives with the Bastrop Police Department might learn today whether they will be released on bond.The 4th District Attorney’s Office asked District Court Judge Scott Leehy on Tuesday that the trio be held without bond for aiding a suspect in the shooting deaths of Detective Sgt. John Smith and Detective Sgt. Chuck Wilson flee the area after the officers were slain. Donald Alex Brendle, 31, of Mer Rouge, Michael L. Coleman, 38, from Bastrop and Chrystal L. Harrell, 37, from Collinston were taken into custody on Friday evening and later charged with being accessories after the fact in the first-degree murder of a police officer and obstruction of justice.Investigators allege Brendle, Coleman and Harrell helped Tanya Smith escape from the area after Smith’s boyfriend, Dennis Clem, allegedly shot and killed the officers.”Neighbors Shocked Over Three People Arrested in Bastrop Police Murders(August – 13 – 2007)  VIDEO

BASTROP (TV8) – State police today confirmed Dennis Clem–the man accused of gunning down two Bastrop detectives on Friday–was a member of the Aryan Circle… white supremicist group.The FBI says the Aryan Circle is a splinter group of the Texas Aryan Brotherhood… and functions mainly within the Texas prison system… providing protection for white inmates.What relationship exists between Clem, his girlfriend Tonya Smith, and three Northeast Louisiana residents arrested in connection with Friday’s shootout remains unclear.Today, some of those close to the arrested locals told TV8’s Dustin Barnes not all of them were so well acquainted with the Texas couple.

36-year-old sherman kimball lived at this home in the 73-hundred block of James Chunn Road in Bastrop with 38-year-old Michael Coleman….a full week before his roomate was arrested.Coleman, along with Crystal Harrell of Collinston, and Donald “Alex” Brendle of Mer Rouge, have been booked in the Morehouse Parish Jail for helping Dennis Clem’s girlfriend–Tanya Smith–leave the Bastrop area, after police say Clem killed two Bastrop detectives before he was killed in a shootout with responding officers.Kimball says he was with Coleman the day of the shootings.Sherman Kimball says “He was with me all day Friday evening…we were moving stuff all day out to the new house and we were together all day Friday.”

“he didn’t even know her….he had met her through chrystal…”

Kimball says Coleman had only seen Tanya Smith once, and that was with Crystal Harrell.

Kimball says “he didn’t even know her….he had met her through Chrystal…”

Reporter standup:

Sources tell TV8 that Chrystal Harrell lived in this trailer and she personally knew Tanya Smith.

Harrell’s 16-year-old son…declined to be on camera, but told TV8 News about his mother’s relationship with Smith.

The son says “she met her once or twice and my mom said she didn’t like her.”

Harrell’s son says his mom met Smith through Alex Brendle, who was his mom’s boyfriend. Police connected his mom and Smith as friends when police saw Harrell’s car at the budget hotel.

The son says “they saw her car over there…over there at the hotel when Alex went to see them people.”

Harrell’s son has not talked to his mother since her arrest, but says Alex told him Tanya Smith held her at gunpoint, forcing Harrell to drive her to Olla, where she apparently found a ride to Harris County, Texas.

In Bastrop, Dustin Barnes, TV8 News.

Mission Statement The Decency Initiative of the National Action Network, led by Tamika Mallory, was established in order to address standards in the media and entertainment industries. The Initiative’s initial goal is to eliminate the use of three words in music and media; the “N” word, the “B” word and the “H” word, which are a blatant disrespect to women and the African American community. The overall goal is to establish a single standard that will be adopted by media and entertainment entities that will respect all people regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. The Initiative is targeting record labels, major corporations and media conglomerates that continue to profit from racism and sexism. The Initiative is leading a national effort to educate consumers on corporate policies, purchasing power and consumer rights and will mobilize consumers towards direct protest of companies who support the degradation of any group.

http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/assets/images/cartoon.jpg

This cartoon on the editorial page of Friday’s Florida Times-Union generated strong reaction from readers and the leader of the NAACP.

Times-Union Editor Regrets Offensive Word In Cartoon
Readers, NAACP Complain To Newspaper
UPDATED: 12:35 pm EDT August 20, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An editorial cartoon taking shot at those who fail to turn in violent criminals generated controversy, then a response from the Florida Times-Union.The cartoon appeared on the editorial page of Friday’s newspaper with a caption saying, “The new rule of law.” It shows what appears to be a man shot, and a gunman standing over the victim wearing shirts reading “Don’t Snitch.”Two young children depicted in the cartoon say “I didn’t see nuttin’!” Then the gunman says, “Now that’s a good little ho!” 

The cartoon generated controversy on two levels: for using the slang word that got Don Imus fired from his nationally syndicated radio and television shows and for sending the wrong message. The president of the local chapter of the NAACP said he found both the picture and the words offensive. “I was stunned about it,” said Isaiah Rumlin, president of the local NAACP chapter.

“I was outraged.” Rumlin said he took calls from at least 20 angry people who also found this cartoon offensive. He said he called the newspaper and expressed his concern to publisher Carl Cannon. “We’re going to see how we can work together and alleviate this type of language in the paper,” Rumlin told Channel 4.

In Sunday’s newspaper, editorial page editor Mike Clark was quoted as saying he reviewed and approved the cartoon by longtime Times-Union cartoonist Ed Gamble.” Using the word ‘ho’ was bad judgment, and I regret that I did not edit it out,” Clark told the newspapers reader advocate. “The object of the cartoon was to comment on the rise of a no-snitching culture, something that is widely in the news today. There was certainly no intent to offend the many law-abiding Jacksonville citizens.”

Gamble told the reader advocate that the term “ho” is demeaning to women, but said, “I was making a point that rappers are demeaning to women.” In the background of the cartoon is a billboard displaying: “Rap your life away.”

The comments in Sunday’s newspaper came after complaints about the cartoon flooded into both the newspaper and Channel 4. “Why would you even put something like that in the paper in the first place?” one resident told the local station’s Jennifer Bauer.”That’s not comical at all,” another newspaper reader said. “That’s poor teaching of children.”

Copyright 2007 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

 

 

 

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Mychal Bell & the Quigley Affair Friday, Aug 3 2007

Mychal Bell,  immediately after his trial was put through and ordeal, no prisoner should have to be subjected to.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Mychal Bell left Hanging

<–Emancipation Oak But help has arrived!

As it would turn out, Bill Quigley; before he left the country, failed to provide certificate of service to the opposing attorneys notifying them of new motions, as per the law.

The attorney now handling Mychal Bell’s case has established a team of lawyers to sift through the uncertain.

The scenario of the famed civil rights attorney, forgetting such a mundane legal chore is puzzling to say the least. That, coupled with actions by some ACLU staff is suspect. The new attorney was able to file motions to fire Blane Willaims,
and get a hearing on these actions.
3 August 2007

Revs. Jackson and Sharpton plan trip to show support for Jena Six
By Abbey Brown
abrown@thetowntalk.com

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Wednesday said the charges against the six black teens known as the “Jena Six” are “disgraceful” and said he is coming to Jena to spread a message of “reconciliation rather than retaliation.”
Although the date for his visit isn’t yet final, the Rev. Al Sharpton’s office confirmed Wednesday that he will be speaking in support of the students some of whom still face attempted murder charges at 11 a.m. Sunday at Trout Creek Baptist Church in Jena.

Robert Bailey Jr., Mychal Bell, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw and an unnamed juvenile were charged in December with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit the same after a Dec. 4 attack that left white student Justin Barker unconscious and in need of medical attention.

Bell was convicted in June of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy to commit that crime the highest charge possible after LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters reduced the charges just before the trial began. He faces more than 20 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 20.
Shaw, who was behind bars for more than seven months, was recently released in lieu of bond after family and supporters raised enough cash and property for the $90,000 bond. Bell remains behind bars.

The case has captured headlines and airtime across the world in both alternative and mainstream media, including recent segments on CNN, NBC and CBS nightly news.

But one of Bell’s appeals attorneys, Bob Noel of Monroe, said he hopes the attention from both the media and national public figures will have no effect on the case positive or negative.

“I would hope not,” he said of any possible effects. “I hope the outcome of the case is based solely upon the law as it applies to this case, and if it is, I feel very positive about the outcome.”

Noel, along with the lead attorney in the case, Louis Scott, and other Monroe attorneys Lee Perkins, Peggy Sullivan and Carol Powell-Lexing, signed on to represent Bell through the appeals process. The attorneys are all members of the 4th Judicial District Indigent Defenders Board but aren’t being contracted to do this.

All agreed to handle the defense work pro-bono after being contacted by Scott, who was contacted by Bell’s father, Marcus Jones.

Alexandria defense attorney Mike Small said the widespread attention generated by the cases will virtually ensure that a motion to change venue for the other defendants will be granted.

“Given the polarization caused by these cases, it is difficult for me to imagine fair and impartial juries can be selected in LaSalle Parish,” he said.

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