Man gets 20 years for beating death despite emotional pleas

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A somewhat disorganized but impassioned statement by an Anna, Illinois, man convicted of murder was not enough to persuade Judge Mark Boie to show leniency.

After hearing statements from attorneys, the victim's family and the defendant himself, Boie imposed a 20-year prison sentence on Jessie Bell on Monday for his role in the death of James "Jimmy" Morrison.

A jury convicted Bell, 35, on May 18 of second-degree murder in the 2014 beating death.

Bell pulled out several folded, yellow sheets of handwritten notes but soon abandoned them, alternatively addressing his attorney, Boie and Morrison's family.

"I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart, but ... it's not all my fault, and if I could bring [Morrison] back right now, I would," he said.

Bell stuck by his self-defense argument.

"I love everyone, and no one deserves to die," he said, telling everyone what was most important was for all of them to take "positive steps" to get to heaven, where he said he believed Morrison is. It was one of several references to God and heaven Bell made throughout his statement.

Through tears, Bell asked Boie for a sentence of time served plus rehab, telling the court how hard it was to be in prison with "murderers" and "rapists."

At that point, he said he would like to fire his attorney, public defender Patrick Duffy, "on the spot," and he had no desire to appeal his case.

"You should not be able to sentence me," he told Boie, lashing out about perceived missteps in DNA collection and a change of venue that was promised and never happened.

Bell said he knew some information that had not come to light during the trial and wanted everyone to know the truth.

"And the Lord said, 'That shall set you free, Mr. Bell,'" he said.

Bell indicated he was "ready to proceed with a post-conviction lawsuit" and praised the work of his attorney -- whom he had said he wanted to fire moments before.

As his statement wound down, Bell said he is not a killer, but rather "a man who will defend himself to the best of my ability." He said he would like the opportunity to become a motivational speaker.

Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds addressed Boie first, requesting the statutory maximum sentence.

"The ultimate issue here is this did not have to happen," Edmonds said. He discussed assault and battery charges Bell previously had faced. Edmonds said Bell had "repeatedly failed to comply" with the terms of his probation and pointed out Bell had been released from jail fewer than 80 days before Morrison was killed.

Edmonds called the maximum sentence "entirely appropriate. ... And frankly, your Honor, I wish I could ask for more today."

Duffy reiterated Bell's stance he hit Morrison only "under strong provocation" and was quick to argue his client was not the only one at fault.

"... I don't see anyone in this situation who has completely clean hands," Duffy said. He asked Boie show leniency and not impose the maximum sentence.

Alaina Morrison, Jimmy Morrison's daughter, read a tearful statement to the court about what her father's absence has meant in her life, saying she blamed herself and became mean to family and friends.

She described feeling as if she has been "living in a movie" and said she still sees a counselor weekly to deal with what happened.

"I want [Bell] to prove to me that he can change for the better. ... I hope he does not take a second chance for granted," she said.

Jimmy Morrison's sister, Karen Pritchett, told the court she was "just asking that justice be done" and spoke of memories destroyed before they had the chance to be made.

"Our family will never be the same because of Mr. Bell's choice," Pritchett said.

Morrison was found early April 12, 2014, outside an Anna home and later pronounced dead at Union County Hospital.

According to court documents, Bell repeatedly struck Morrison in the head with his fists, and Turner is alleged to have hit him in the head with a piece of lumber.

Turner will face first-degree murder charges at trial later this month. Boie on Monday ordered all exhibits from Bell's trial to be released for use at Turner's.

Bell has 30 days to file an appeal.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Jonesboro, Ill.

Anna, Ill.