UPDATE — Legal experts say Judge’s order may contradict Louisiana laws — READ: ‘Jena 6 teen’s return to jail draws queries’ Howard Witt, Chicago Tribune

I awoke to the news that Mychal Bell, now the most well known defendant in the Jena Six case, was back behind bars, in jail. It appears that because of Bell’s fight with Justin Barker, Bell’s probation on two counts of simple battery and two counts of criminal destruction of property has been terminated and he will serve 18 months in a secured juvenile facility. Unfortunately, the details of the hearing and Bell’s whereabouts are murky in part due to the gag order placed on all parties by 28th Judicial District Court Judge J.P. Mauffray. (And yes, it was Judge Mauffray’s earlier decision regarding Bell’s Jena Six related charges that was reversed on appeal.)

I have mixed feelings about this latest development. I am so angry at Bell for violating the terms of his probation and deeply sad to see another young, black man behind bars. Yes, the sentence smells of a kind of retribution for the September march and overall cry for justice for the Jena Six. And there’s the rub, by fighting, Bell put himself in position for this kind of move to take place.

I understand that some people will greet Bell’s re-incarceration with a sigh of relief. There are numerous reports, by black citizens of Jena, that Bell (and other star athletes) caused a great deal of trouble in town. (Mostly chronicled in www.thetowntalk.com, but those articles are now only for sale.) Those same reports note that when African Americans made calls to white law enforcement, to report Bell’s alleged acts of vandalism, the police officers were slow to respond and often disinterested in making a full report. And there are still others who in chat rooms around the web, are already saying, “See. We told you so. Are you coming back to march now?”

They don’t get it. As I wrote to a friend about a month ago when he complained that the “full picture” of Mychal Bell was not being presented: Bell may be or become an incorrigible social delinquent, for all I know. But he deserves the protection of equal justice and I will stand for his right to that. Because when “the system” decides to cut corners on people it doesn’t like, I could be next, or you could be.

I cannot say that Bell’s probation should not have been revoked because of his involvement in the fight with Justin Barker. I do not have a simple opinion about it because I do not have enough information at this point although I will keep looking for a fuller, verifiable account of events. I strongly disagree with those asserting that Bell should be immune from the consequences of his prior actions because he is involved in the Jena Six case. Crime ravages communities and assaults the individual psyche. Everyone who commits a serious crime should be dealt with firmly and decisively.