State v. Bell
CHARGE: Aggravated murder with gun specification (pre-meditated killing)
POTENTIAL PENALTY: Life in prison
VENUE: Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio
ALLEGATION: Man lured neighbor from his home outside then shot him in the back of the head (execution style) in front of eyewitnesses. Defendant then got rid of the clothes he was wearing that night and hid the gun in a plastic bag in his nearby yard (clothes and gun were recovered). Defendant also went into hiding until he was captured.
DISPOSITION: Trial by jury.
RESULT: Mistrial/hung jury, 7 to 5 not guilty. (7 of 12 jurors voted to acquit Mr. Bell). Mr. Bell was represented by other counsel during his second trial. He was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison. (The result of Mr. Bell's trial when represented by other counsel is included to demonstrate that the talent, skill and commitment of the attorney often determines the outcome of the case.)
ARTICLES
Man being tried in friend's slaying (Cincinnati Post)
Mistrial declared in murder case (Cincinnati Post)
