Mychal Bell
Mychal Bell is one of the Jena Six, a group of black teenagers who were initially charged with the attempted second-degree murder of white classmate Justin Barker in Jena, Louisiana.
Fast Facts:
- Born: ca. 1990
- Residence: LaSalle Correctional Center, LaSalle, Louisiana
- Mother: Melissa Bell
- Judge determined Bell should be tried as juvenile; initial charges of attempted murder thrown out
- Sent to jail for probation violations on previous convictions
- Sentence for probation violations: 18 months
- Previously convicted for punching female student LaTara Hart1
- Was football star at Jena High School
Jena Six Case
In December, 2006, Bell, along with five other fellow black students, allegedly attacked white classmate Justin Barker, sending him briefly to the hospital. Earlier in the school year, three white students had been suspended for placing nooses under a tree on the grounds of Jena High School, and several racially charged incidents had occurred throughout the semester.
Charges and Aftermath
After the attack, Bell and four of his alleged fellow attackers were charged with attempted second degree murder. The charges sparked outrage among African-Americans and others who felt the charges were disproportionate to the crime. While Bell's charges were later reduced to aggravated battery, they were subsequently thrown out because the judge agreed that Bell should have been tried as a juvenile. While awaiting the start of his trial in juvenile court, Bell was sent to prison for violating the terms of his probation stemming from convictions prior to the December, 2006, incident.
Categories
