For Mychael Bell it seemed that freedom was another gavel pound away, but the courts decided that 17-year-old Bell will not be released from prison.
Bell has spent more than nine months in prison.
With his mother leaving the courthouse in tears, it is still not immediately clear as to what happened in court, where Bell’s attorneys had planned to push for his release.
According to a written statement by Reverend Al Sharpton – who was on hand for the judgment – “It is our understanding that the judge refused to give bond or bail to Mychael Bell, today.”
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The proceedings, involving the other juvenile defendents, are not open to the media.
Jena, Louisiana has been rocked with controversy after six teens were brought up on charges of attempted second-degree murder and Bell facing an aggravated battery charge sits in front of an all-white jury who holds his face in their hands.
With this “defeat” – the Jena-6 supporters who came in from all over the country to protest what they’re calling “unequal justice,” plan to come back to continue the fight.
Patrons were heard shouting, “Free Mychael Bell!”
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[I know that I am supposed to be unbiased in reporting, but in a real question – how many rappers are going to go out and wear a ‘Free Mychael Bell’ t-shirt?!!]
In what could be argued as a related incident, Alexandria, Louisiana – a town 40 miles southwest of Jena – two people who were driving a red pickup truck were arrested Thursday night with two nooses hanging off of the back.
Jeremiah Munsen, 18, and a 16-year-old compatriot “repeatedly passed groups of demonstrators who were waiting for buses back to their home states,” according to CNN.com. Munsen was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, driving while intoxicated and inciting a riot, according to the police report.
Also found in the back of the truck was an unloaded rifle and a set of brass knuckles were in a cup holder on the dashboard, the police report said. Munsen – also a member of the Ku Klux Klan – sported a tattoo of ‘KKK’ on his chest. Munsen also said, according to the police report, that he tied the nooses and that the brass knuckles belonged to him.
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Things are undoubtedly heating up, we here at HipHopDX shall continue to look at this situation up close and personally.
A question should be driven to everyone who reads this – what should one really hold dear – the crutch of money or the breath of free liberty?
