Judge Indicates He Will Open Trial of Jena 6’s Bell

AP ^ | Nov 16, 2007 | Staff

[Anti-Bubba182]

JENA La. A state district judge filed papers Thursday indicating that he would open to the public the upcoming juvenile trial of one of the six black teenagers charged with beating a white classmate.

But District Judge J.P. Mauffray, in the court filing, also argued he was not required to open the juvenile proceedings and asked that a lawsuit, filed by several news media to do so, be dismissed.

Mauffray is the presiding judge over Mychal Bell's case but disqualified himself from hearing the news media's request because he was named as a defendant in the litigation. The Associated Press is among the news groups seeking access to the case.

"This is the first time there's been any formal, official recognition that the adjudication trial will be open to the public," said Mary Ellen Roy, an attorney for the news organizations.

The news organizations want permission to attend new hearings in Bell's case, to review transcripts of previous hearings and other court records, and to lift a gag order against participants in the case.

District Judge Thomas Yeager, who sits in the central Louisiana city of Alexandria, agreed to hear all "procedural objections" for the hearing involving Bell on Nov. 21, according to Donald R. Wilson, an attorney for Mauffray.

Bell, 17, originally was charged with attempted murder for his alleged role in a December 2006 attack on Justin Barker at Jena High School. That charge was reduced before a jury convicted him in June of aggravated second-degree battery.

The charges against Bell and five others the so-called "Jena Six" sparked a huge civil-rights demonstration in Jena in September. Critics accused Lasalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters of treating blacks more harshly than whites, because his office didn't file charges against three white teens accused of hanging nooses in a tree at the high school shortly before the attack on Barker.

In September, a state appeals court vacated Bell's conviction and ruled that he shouldn't have been tried as an adult. Bell is scheduled to face charges of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy on Dec. 6......"

[Anti-Bubba182]

A public trial with competent council is in order. This case has had worldwide publicity and there is no reason to hide the proceedings.

[Freee-dame]

hanging nooses in a tree at the high school shortly before the attack on Barker

AP, king of the propaganda press, continues to shade the truth. Several months passed between the two incidents. An informed public would be their worst nightmare.