From what I’ve read Mr. Bell had a troubled past before the noose incident. He reaction to that pathetic racist is just what those racists like. They agitate us, we react violently and then they get to take us through a ride in the justice system.

I’m not blaming Bell for the racists’ behaviour, but, he was responsible for his reaction to it. We should have never lauded him as a hero for physical violence that’s no different than violence committed against us.

The Al Sharptons of the world-if they want to really do anything-should fight to make racist graffitti-swazstikas; nooses and any paraphenalia that can incite hate illegal.

That’s true victory when you can affect the behaviour these hateful people represent and force them to go underground and never dare to reveal their hate in public. We should work to make them afraid-financially, to reveal their thoughts and ideas for fear of losing every penny they have or will ever earn.

You can’t legislate people into liking you but, you can damn sure make them pay for doing something to incite hateful behaviour by others.

#2 His lawyer is a disgrace with all of his excuses and spins. He needs to realize he’s not helping this young brother at all.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/30/jena.shooting/index.html

Now, it could be argued that had he not been thrown in jail for an accidental death he might not have had that thug/felon mentality. However, it could also be argued that he was just a bad kid from the start. The same way it could be argued that the Jena 6 boys could have been troubled from the start.

Did I agree with giving him life when I first heard about it? NO. Did I agree that the Jena 6 ruling was unjust? Yes But just because someone is black and given an unfairly harsh sentence doesn’t mean they were COMPLETELY innocent. Time will tell whether or not these young men do something with the lives that so many people fought to give them back. For their own sake, I hope so.

http://www.13wmaz.com/article/20081230/NEWS04/81230027

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawyer in Louisiana says one of the teens in the Jena Six case shot himself yesterday out of despair.

Attorney Louis Scott says Mychal Bell was worried that his recent arrest for shoplifting would ruin his dream of playing college football.

Just came across more details on the shoplifting charge, FYI:

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081229/UPDATES01/81229038

Police said Bell and an unidentified male were spotted Wednesday by store security after they placed $370 worth of merchandise in a Dillard’s shopping bag. After the two separated, Bell left the store, was followed by a security officer, and began running through the parking lot.

Police said Bell was discovered under a vehicle in the Sears parking lot. Lt. Jeff Harris said Bell began “swinging his arms wildly” and delivered a glancing blow to the security officer with his elbow.

Bell was booked into Richwood Correctional Center and released on $1,300 bond. He will be arraigned at a later date. Each of the charges carries a possible penalty of up to six months in jail.

Louis Scott who has represented Bell in the past said that preconceived notions on the part of Dillard’s employees may have played a role in Bell’s arrest.

“Dillard’s has a tradition of being overly suspicious of young black males,” Scott said.