Keep in mind, Bell is being denied bail on what will now be a JUVENILE charge. And Bell was convicted on a charge that, according to an appellate court, should never have been brought. He has been in jail since DECEMBER 2006.

JENA — Bail was denied today for Mychal Bell, a defendant in the “Jena Six” case that has drawn national attention, according to Bell’s father.

A CLOSED-COURT bond hearing was held today in the LaSalle Parish Courthouse to determine whether bail would be set for Bell, who has been held without bail since being convicted in the beating of student at Jena High School.

Marcus Jones, Mychal Bell’s father, told The Town Talk that bail was denied today. He would not comment further.

Judge J.P. Mauffray of LaSalle Parish presided over the bond hearing after an earlier ruling today by a judge from Rapides Parish that Mauffray should not be recused from the case, according to a Bell family member.

Bell, a member of the “Jena Six,” has been jailed for more than nine months in connection with a beating incident at Jena High School that has spawned a huge rally Thursday in Jena.

More than 150 members of the media and spectators have been camped outside the courthouse today for a decision on whether bond would be set and whether Bell might be released from jail.

The hearing came after Bell’s attorneys today filed a writ claiming that Bell is being held illegally. A hearing on that writ was incorporated into Bell’s bond hearing that had been ordered by an appellate court.

In a 10 a.m. hearing today that was closed to the public, 9th Judicial District Court Judge Tom Yeager of Rapides Parish determined that Mauffray will continue to preside over Bell’s case, Bell’s grandmother, Rosie Simmons, told The Town Talk.

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal had ordered that a bond hearing be held for Bell by Monday.

Had Yeager ruled that Mauffray should be recused from the case, Yeager would have then presided over the bond hearing.

Bell was the first of the six black Jena High School students known as the Jena Six to face trial in connection with a Dec. 4 incident at the school that left white student Justin Barker unconscious and bleeding.

Bell, along with the others, was charged initially with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit that crime. He was convicted in June of aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy to commit that crime, the highest charge possible after LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters reduced his charges just before the trial.

Mauffray ruled on Sept. 4 that Bell’s conviction of conspiracy should have been handled in the juvenile court. However, the judge maintained he had jurisdiction for the battery charge.

Ten days later, the 3rd Circuit ruled that the battery conviction as well should have never been handled in the adult judicial system and tossed the charge back to juvenile court. Walters has said he is considering appealing that decision.

Bell was denied bond on Aug. 24 as Mauffray cited Bell’s previous criminal behavior. Prior to his conviction, Bell’s bond had been set at $90,000.

During the August bond hearing, it became public that Bell had four past adjudications as a juvenile — two charges of battery and two of criminal damage to property.

Tens of thousands of people, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, rallied in Jena on Thursday on behalf of the Jena Six. A rallied followed in Alexandria, drawing well-known people including rapper-actor Ice Cube and comedian-activist Dick Gregory. Bail denied for Mychal Bell, relative reports Town Talk staff, The Town Talk

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