'Jena 6' teen out on $45,000 bail after 10 months

By Marisol Bello, USA TODAY

Mychal Bell, the 17-year-old at the center of the controversial "Jena Six" case, was released on $45,000 bail Thursday, a week after 20,000 protesters from across the country rallied in Jena for his release.

"When I first met Mychal, this day seemed like it would never come," said civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who has been working with Bell's parents and lawyers for the youth's release. "Now, after thousands marched, he is free."

The bail was posted by Stephen Ayers of Lake Charles, La., who doesn't know Bell. Ayers was a "Good Samaritan" who offered to help, said Carol Powell Lexing, one of Bell's lawyers.

VIDEO: No challenge to 'Jena 6' ruling

Bell, who spent 10 months in jail after his parents could not pay the original $90,000 bail, still faces charges in juvenile court for aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery.

Bell and the others were initially charged with attempted murder for beating classmate Justin Barker in December. The charges against four of the teens, including Bell, were reduced to aggravated battery. Bell, the only one tried so far, was convicted in May.

An appeals court this month overturned Bell's conviction, ruling a week before his scheduled sentencing that he should not have been tried as an adult.

On Thursday, LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters confirmed that he would not appeal the ruling and would charge Bell in juvenile court.

If convicted, Bell could be held in a juvenile facility until he turns 21. He had faced the possibility of 15 years in prison with an adult conviction.

Bell appeared at a news conference in front of Jena's courthouse moments after his release at about 5:30 p.m. CT, surrounded by his parents, attorneys, Sharpton, Martin Luther King III and a handful of supporters.

Bell, in a striped blue polo shirt and jeans, smiled, hugged his parents and motioned a kiss with his fingertips toward the sky as Sharpton led the group in prayer. He did not speak. Neither did his parents.

Black congressional leaders have asked the Justice Department to investigate possible civil rights violations in the case. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco met with all sides in the case.

Walters said his decision not to contest the appeals court ruling was not the result of pressure from the rally, political leaders or the worldwide attention. He said he did not want to delay the case further in the best interest of the beating victim.

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