Small Town News

"Jena Six" youth arrested Saturday for simple battery

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One of the "Jena Six" youths that brought national attention to Jena and LaSalle Parish more than two years ago is back in the news.

Mychal Bell, 20, was arrested last Saturday and charged with simple battery following a fight near Jena.

At 1:44 p.m., Saturday, May 22, a K-9 deputy was dispatched to 1559 Park Street (The Barber Shop) in reference to a fight. Upon arrival, the deputy entered the barbershop to find several black males sitting and standing around inside.

He asked if anyone had called the sheriffs office about a fight and no one responded. He asked again and a black male walked over and stated he had called. He was asked to step outside so they could speak.

As they walked out, the deputy said a black male was standing in the doorway. The deputy asked the victim if someone had jumped on him and the black male standing in the doorway stated, "I did, but it was a big misunderstanding."

Once outside, the victim identified himself as Kernerion Miller, 21, of 1359 School Street, Trout. He said the black male that was standing in the doorway hit him in the face. As they talked, the black male who was standing in the doorway came over and started trying to talk with Miller. When the deputy asked who he was, he identified himself as Mychal Bell. The deputy asked him to step away and he did. The deputy attempted to speak with Miller again and Bell and another unknown black male walked over and the unknown black male pulled Miller off to the side while Bell was speaking to the deputy.

The officer told the unknown black male to go away and after a few words, he walked away. About this time another officer arrived with a statement form for Miller to fill out.

Bell was then arrested and transported to the LaSalle Parish Jail where he was booked on simple battery charges.

While being booked and after being read his Miranda rights at the jail, Bell told the deputy he had hit Miller in the face and grabbed him in a headlock and slammed his head on a table as they were falling to the floor. When asked why he did it, Bell told the deputy "because Kernerion was running his mouth about him."



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© 2011 The Jena Times Jena, Louisiana. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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