More News from Jena

Mychal Bell has been denied bail in his new juvenile proceedings. His conviction for second-degree assault was set aside by a state appeals court who determined that Bell was only 16 at the time the violence occurred and so must be tried as a juvenile.

Bell's attorneys are also asking that the presiding judge recuse himself from the issue. They complain that the $90,000 bond set by Judge J.P. Mauffray, Jr. in the previous criminal action was unreasonable. Judge Mauffray based the bond on Bell's prior criminal history, which includes arrests for battery and damage to property.

Leading up to the violent incident in August 2006, school officials in Jena had responded to this series of escalating altercations by meting out scholastic justice; students on both sides of the conflict had been suspended. The continuing failure of this type of remedy speaks to the necessity of some other means to control the situation.

The fact remains that Mychal Bell and his co-defendants engaged in the beating of another student while at school. This violent act required more than scholastic action, and the local judiciary had no choice but to intervene. Certainly, attempted murder was too serious a charge for Bell and his co-defendants, but none of these young people (on either side) are innocent actors, or martyrs.

It is my sincere hope that, at some point, the reasonable people living in Jena will come forward and demand an end to this ridiculous situation. Reduce Mychal Bell's charges to the appropriate level, and charge any further instances of violence or disruption fairly and equitably, no matter who is on the receiving end.

EDIT: This morning, the AJC ran an article highlighting the concern of Jena's citizens over the growing media circus. The imagery of high school students of all races playing with the nooses in the trees really warms my heart.