NAACP and Mother Seek Justice for Jail Beatings

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By The Wilmington Journal

Published: 08/19/2003

It's been said, 'There's three sides to every story-his side, her side, and then the truth'. Unfortunately the truth seemingly varies depending on one's individual perception. And according to the mother of James Bell, Jr., she wants her 'truth' to be known. She says it all began when her son was 'railroaded' as he was charged and convicted for first-degree statutory rape and second-degree forcible rape. Although court transcripts and documents released from the hospital uphold her claim that no physical evidence linked Mr. Bell to the young lady or that she was even raped, Mr. Bell is currently serving a thirty-four year sentence in a maximum-security prison in Nash County. His mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that even though she was told the harsh sentencing reflects the fact that he is a repeat felon, Mr. Bell has had only one prior felony and several misdemeanors. But whatever the reasoning behind his prison term is, she wants her son to be treated properly, so that she can rest her body at night with peace of mind. Her uneasiness stems from Mr. Bell's allegations that on May 16, 2002, jailers at the New Hanover County Jail refused him medical attention after he was beaten twice prior to that day. His mother claims the altercation with jailers started when Mr. Bell asked them to intervene as one inmate was assaulting another. She alleged that it further escalated when he asked for his medication, which he takes to prevent seizures. In an affidavit, Mr. Bell stated, 'The following day on May 17, 2002, NHC jailers took me out of isolation, shackled me, put me in a wheelchair, dragged me into the back of a very, very hot van, [and] transported me to Central Prison...' Mr. Bell's mother maintains that on one occasion, when her son was brought into court, he fell to his knees when he took the stand. She contends that on the day of his conviction, he was in a wheelchair. She told The Journal for six weeks she was not able to contact her son, nor did he contact her. In fact, Mr. Bell wrote in the affidavit he was hospitalized at Central Prison for two and a half months and suffered broken bones. Mr. Bell further alleged that just over a year later, on May 21, 2003 he was 'beat a second time', denied medical treatment, and isolated when he was transported back to NHC jail. Mr. Bell's mother told The Journal even though a year had passed since his conviction, he was brought back to New Hanover County to appear in court for a probation violation. Apparently, a warrant was issued when he didn't visit his probation officer. Of the charges, his mother questioned, 'You mean to tell me they didn't know he was incarcerated?' Obviously, the case was dismissed; however, she said he was charged with assaulting an officer 'to cover up' the brutality. His mother maintains that she noticed his facial injuries when she went to visit him in the NHC jail and claims his left jaw was swollen. As a matter of fact, she suspects the assault case, which has yet to be heard, will keep getting continued until the FBI closes the investigation of Gary Rummer, who died at Central Prison, after he suffered a head injury and a broken neck while in the custody of NHC jailers. However, she contends that her open plea for justice has nothing to do with the publicity surrounding the Rummer case. Refuting the popular notion she's riding off the of the case, she expressed, 'Why? All of this happened before the Rummer case. So how am I jumping on the bandwagon?' She continued, 'I didn't even know anything could be done, and I've been trying to do something for two years. That's what the public needs to know.' Not only did she contact The Journal on May 21, 2003 (the date of his last appearance in court), but she also sought the help of the past president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Rev. John Fredlaw and the president of the local chapter of National Action Network and longtime fighter against police brutality, Richard Irving. She said though both were eager to assist, uncontrollable circumstances put a halt to their progress. Since then, the NAACP has picked up the case again and further asked that District Attorney John Carriker investigate. In a letter dated June 23, 2003, Vice President of the NAACP, Harold Beatty, wrote Atty. Carriker, informing him of Mr. Bell's allegations. Ultimately, he asked whether any initiatives to fully investigate the allegations had been made and if so, could the results be released to the NAACP. Atty. Carriker eventually responded, and in a letter addressed to Mr. Beatty, he promised, 'I have talked to Sheriff Sid Causey, and he has informed me the he has ordered an investigation into this matter...Once the investigation is complete I will be back in contact with you. I do not know how long the investigation will take, but it will be handled seriously and expeditiously...' In the meantime, Mr. Bell's mother feels she can only hope and pray that Atty. Carriker and Sheriff Causey keep their promise. She told The Journal, so far, her road to justice for her son has been a difficult path in her life. Yet she believes her faith in the NAACP will keep her strong. She trusts that it was fate, which placed her in the same path of Mr. Beatty, who also serves as the NAACP's Chair of Legal Redress, as he was on his way to visit another inmate and needed directions. She concluded, 'Thank God, the ball has been rolling ever since. It's been a long, hard discouraging journey. But Mr. Beatty is doing more than the lawyers or anybody else ever did.' Currently, James Bell, Jr.'s case regarding the rape charges, is being appealed by the family's attorney.

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