home > Talk
‘None of this is Good News’
by Ronni Mott
November 7, 2007
The day after the Jackson Free Press broke the news that she had been indicted, Robbie Bell turned herself in to sheriff's deputies on Oct. 31, for her alleged role in the death of Mary Heather Spencer on Sept. 11. Jackson police arrested Bell's son, George Bell III, for Spencer's murder after a four-hour standoff at a local gas station, with him and his mother cowering in his car. A grand jury indicted the mother for accessory after the fact three weeks ago, but the papers were not served until last week.
Robbie Bell was released on $15,000 bond shortly after turning herself in.
"There was (an administrative) delay," said District Attorney Faye Peterson of the three weeks between the indictment and its service on Bell. The grand jury session in question returned hundreds of indictments, which take time to serve, she said.
Asked why her office did not announce the indictment at the time, Peterson said she saw no reason to reveal it prior to an arrest. "It's similar in posture to an undercover indictment," Peterson said.
George Bell III allegedly raped and beat Spencer to death with a flashlight in his mother's North Jackson home. Questions remain as to whether Spencer was alive for any length of time after the beating, and if so, why Robbie Bell never called 911 if reports that she was also in the home all night are true. Bell faces up to five years in prison, if convicted. Her son faces a possible death sentence, and is being held without bond.
In a previous incident, Spencer accused George Bell III of attacking her with a hammer in June 2007. That attack necessitated 57 staples in Spencer's scalp to close the wound. According to police reports obtained by the JFP, police initially classified the incident as aggravated assault, a felony, but within days Detective Ken Daniels asked to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor for reasons that are not clear. Then, weeks later, James L. Kelly, the attorney for Bell, sent a letter to JPD signed by Spencer asking that all charges be dropped.
Bell was never arrested for the June assault—although he was charged with the crime, which was still outstanding, after he turned himself in after Spencer's death.
"None of this is good news to me, because I would prefer to have my daughter back rather than worrying about who's held responsible," said Linda Francomb, Spencer's mother, who lives in Michigan. "There are many lives that have been ruined because of this."
"I guess more than anything, I feel relief that, maybe, justice is being served," Francomb said, her voice quivering. "It's not getting any easier right now."
posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/07/07 at 04:38 PM. [printer version] Share |
COMMENTS
:: recentcomments
Feb 08, 2012 | 01:26 PMWant Medicaid? Ditch the Vanity Plate
Brian C Johnson: The courts will not allow the state to drug test Medicaid recipients, so why waste money and effort on it? How exactly are single mothers--who make up the majority ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 01:19 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Duan C.: Since you guys have turned the thread into a discussion of politics. A while back during one of our meetings we discussed a coming up with a grading system for our elected officials ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 01:06 PM
Want Medicaid? Ditch the Vanity Plate
Ronni_Mott: Republican conservatives are truly confusing. Aren't they the ones who want less government regulation? I suppose that only counts if its regulating things on their ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:35 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Walt: Renaldo/Blackwatch you have been simply marvelous in your insight and truth telling on this piece. So glad you're back. I thought we had lost you since I didn't see your posts for so ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:22 PM
[Editor's Note] Aloha, Jackson
DonnaLadd: Whoops. On second reference in the above column, I said "Air Force caption" instead of Army captain. I've corrected it above.
Feb 08, 2012 | 12:12 PM
Want Medicaid? Ditch the Vanity Plate
Laurie Bertram Roberts: I will say what I said before how does he even know how someone paid for that $30 tag. It could've been a gift they may have used their tax check because ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 11:43 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
DonnaLadd: Of course, people learn at different speeds; I certainly didn't learn what I know now about writing and journalism craft until I was nearly 40 (of course, that had to do as much as ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 09:56 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Kudos to you and to your Prof. Cant take anything from ya. But the "problem" with the craft around here (and a LOT of things) is that eveyone considers themselves an authority. I ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 09:19 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
DonnaLadd: I don't want to derail this great thread with journalism lessons, but I'll answer Brad quickly about the problems with yes-or-no questions: Sometimes you can get lucky and get a ...
Feb 08, 2012 | 05:33 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Renaldo Bryant: @Duan In my post about corporate America, I noted that social justice and equity must be the only context under which interactions and contestations must take place. Simply ...
Feb 07, 2012 | 04:41 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Well, Donna, as a "good" journalist. In my day..a DAMN good one. Ive gotten plenty of broader answers by follwing up with a "why" or "why not". and honestly the WHY of Kenny Stokes ...
Feb 07, 2012 | 04:14 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Duan C.: "Also, transforming Jxn has to be a metro concern, not just a Jxn proper concern. White Flight and residential segregation must be addressed......In the Jxn metro area, they don’t ...
Feb 07, 2012 | 03:31 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
DonnaLadd: No, yes-or-no questions draw completely different kinds of answers, and usually empty sound bites, thus derailing the possibility of getting an intelligent answer. Good journalists ...
Feb 07, 2012 | 03:18 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Well, a why or why not follow up would take it out of the "yes or no" I think. I dont think Ward 3 needs another councilperson with a "career politician" mentality. The spectre of ...
Feb 07, 2012 | 03:01 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
DonnaLadd: I'm not interested in term-limit questions, or getting anyone to pledge to them), and I try to never ask a yes-or-no question, but the other ones look good. Thanks to both of you. ...
e-mail newsletter
Sign up for the JFP Daily Newsletter to receive breaking news, local events, music listings and more by e-mail.
3jfp featured event
Jackson 2000 Friendship Ball
Mar 03, 2012 - Civil rights veteran Owen Brooks and Voice of Calvary Ministries president Phil Reed are honored for their racial reconciliation efforts and their contributions to Jackson. Look forward to hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and music by These Days with Jewel Bass. Proceeds benefit Parents for Public Schools and Students With A Goal (S.W.A.G.). Wear casual attire. more
|
Guests online: 275
© Jackson Free Press, Inc. - portions of code by CC with EE. User agreement and privacy statement. |
