Jena 6 defendant returns to jail

JENA, La., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Jena Six defendant Mychal Bell, released from an adult correctional facility, was back in custody in a Louisiana juvenile facility, a family spokesman said.

Bishop J.L. George of Sicily Island, who has been ministering to the family, said Bell was "locked back up" in the juvenile detention center, the Alexandria (La.) Town Talk reported Friday.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has supported the Jena Six, called Bell's 18-month incarceration "cruel and unusual punishment."

Bell, 17, was in an adult detention facility after being convicted of assaulting another student at Jena (La.) High School. He was released on bond Sept. 27.

"(Thursday), Mychal Bell was placed by the same judge in Jena, Louisiana, in a secured juvenile facility for 18 months after convicting him for two prior pending cases," Sharpton said. "We feel this was a cruel and unusual punishment and is a revenge by this judge for the Jena Six movement."

Five other students also were arrested the so-called Jena Six case that drew national attention after attempted murder charges were filed. Bell was convicted as an adult of lesser charges but the conviction was vacated and the matter sent to juvenile court.