Jena 6 figure released on bail

JENA, La., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Jena 6 figure Mychal Bell was released on bail Thursday, after a Louisiana prosecutor said he will not appeal a court order that Bell be tried as a juvenile.

Bell, 17, was released on $45,000 bail, CNN reported. He was the only one of the six defendants in the case who was still in jail.

The defendants -- known collectively as the Jena 6 -- were accused of beating a white classmate at their high school after white students hung three nooses from a tree on the campus.

Earlier Thursday, LaSalle Paris, La., District Attorney Reed Walters told reporters he had tentatively decided last week not to appeal a court ruling that Bell had improperly been tried as an adult but he just needed to research and consult on the matter before announcing his plan.

"We will now go forward in juvenile court," he said.

Walters said he based his decision on what was best for the victim, Justin Barker. Barker and his family "are on board" with his decision, he said.

The aggressive prosecution of the black students -- who face attempted battery and conspiracy charges after initially being charged with attempted murder -- prompted a rally in Jena by more than 10,000 people last week.