Judge Reduces Charges in Jena 6 Case But Refuses to Overturn Mychal Bell Conviction

A Louisiana judge has refused to overturn the conviction of Mychal Bell. Bell and five other African American teens were arrested after a schoolyard fight in which a white student was beaten and suffered a concussion. The fight followed months of escalating tension in the town of Jena, Louisiana. Nooses had been hung from a schoolyard tree where the black students had sat. The Jena Six, as they've come to be known, were initially charged with attempted murder. Bell is the only student tried so far. An all-white jury found him guilty of second-degree battery and conspiracy in June.

On Tuesday, Judge Judge J.P. Mauffray let the conviction stand -- despite ruling Mychal Bell was improperly tried in adult court instead of as a juvenile. Bell's conspiracy charge was dismissed, but he still faces up to fifteen years in prison. Thousands of supporters from across the country are expected to gather for a rally in Jena when Mychal is sentenced on September Twentieth.

Meanwhile prosecutors also announced they've reduced the attempted murder charges against two others among the Jena Six. Carwin Jones and Theo Shaw are also now charged with aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy. Two other students, Robert Bailey Jr. and Bryant Purvis, await trial for attempted murder.

Democracy Now! traveled to Jena over the weekend to cover the story. I spoke to Theo Shaw and Robert Bailey at their home in Jena. They were ironing their clothes, preparing to go out that evening. Robert and Theo were held for about eight months in prison until their families raised the money to bail them out. Theo was released just over a month ago on a more than $100,000 bail.

• Theo Shaw, one the Jena 6.
• Robert Bailey, one of the Jena 6.

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