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Columbus GA DUI Attorney - Judge struggles with vehicular homicide case

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Columbus GA DUI Attorney - Judge struggles with vehicular homicide case
Posted: Aug 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2009 10:17 AM EDT

James Bell arraigned in Recorder's Court.
9-year-old Ashley MosleyBy Michelle Paynter - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - For now, a 23-year-old Chatham County man who is charged with killing a 9-year-old boy in a wreck near Tybee Island, will stay behind bars.

James Bell was arraigned in Recorder's Court Wednesday afternoon. He's charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and seat belt violations.

The victim is Ashley Mosley. The Bell and Mosley families are long time friends.

Wednesday, James Bell stood for most of the hearing with his arms crossed, his head down, while his attorneys fought for the judge to set a bond.

On the other side of the courtroom, the district attorney and the police officer investigating the case argued to keep Bell in jail.

"This is not just a tragedy, it's a crime," said the chief deputy assistant district attorney Greg Jacobs. "Five children, excuse me five people, several of them children, one of them dead."

Police investigator Cpl. Lamar McCoy said Saturday night, Bell was speeding when his 1998 Chevy Corvette spun out of control and hit a palm tree, then an oak tree, killing Ashley Mosley. McCoy said there was evidence Bell had been drinking.

Bell's attorneys include Donald Montgomery and Steven Scheer, who is a municipal court judge for Tybee Island.

Montgomery told the judge Bell is a good person, has strong, life-long ties to the community and he's a recent graduate of Georgia State University and has no criminal record.

Chief Recorder's Court judge Lawrence Dillon, known for making swift decisions on bond, decided not to set one today. After listening to both sides for several minutes, he said, "I'm thinking about a $50,000 bond, home confinement and a monitor."

But Judge Dillon won't rule until Thursday. He said he wants to hear from the victim's family first. They were not in court today because Wednesday morning they attended Ashley Mosley's funeral.

One life already cut short and now the future of 23-year-old Bell is hanging in the balance.

No one in court was able to escape the emotion, including Judge Dillon. "A little boy, 9-years-old, tragic."

The hearing will continue Thursday at 1:30pm.



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