Bell: Attempted murder nets 11 year sentence
James McKinley “Jimmy” Bell, 53, has been sentenced to serve 11 years in prison on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Burglary.
But with credit for time served and release eligibility after serving 30% of his sentence, he could be out of prison in less than a year and a half.
According to Polk County Criminal/Circuit Court records, Bell entered guilty pleas to the two charges July 22.
The Attempted Second Degree Murder charge was a lesser charge to his original indictment for Attempted First Degree Murder. A conviction for First Degree Murder would have meant 100% of the sentence would have to be served.
The Aggravated Burglary plea was reduced from the original indictment of Especially Aggravated Burglary. That charge would have also required 100% of the sentence to be served.
Two charges of Aggravated Assault - Serious Bodily Injury and a second charge of Attempted First Degree Murder were nolle prosed as part of the plea deal.
Since his last arrest September 20, 2022, Bell had remained in jail until his sentencing, court records showed.
The five count indictment against Bell stemmed from an August 8, 2020, incident when he was accused of breaking into a residence on Deal Road in the Grassy Creek area and assaulting both residents.
Bell was arrested the next day in the Jacks River area by Fannin County deputies Sergeant Jacob Pless, Matthew Peardon and Brian Wingate.
Bell was originally held in Fannin County on a hold placed by Polk County regarding the August 8 incidents.
However, a probation violation charge was added in Fannin County and Bell picked up charges for Riot in a Penal Institution and Simple Battery.
December 3, 2020, he was allowed to plead guilty to one count of theft by taking and one count of simple assault in Fannin County and was sentenced to 24 months probation, a fine, and bond conditions, according to reports at the time.
He was immediately turned over to Polk County authorities.
In March 2021, Bell again ran afoul of law enforcement officers when he fled into Fannin County from Union County deputies.
The chase ended when Bell crashed in the 3600 block of Star Creek Road, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Captain Justin Turner said at the time.
Turner said Bell ran, fought with deputies, and had to be tased to be brought under control.
A warrant taken by Deputy Sheriff Erin Sehl charged Bell with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, which is a felony.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper M. Fowler of Post 27 charged Bell with Driving Under the Influence, Too Fast for Conditions, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Obscuring License Plate to Impede Surveillance Equipment.
Fannin County Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Judge denied bond for Bell and a hold was placed on him by Union County.
He was later released on bond.
According to Fannin County court records, Bell still faces the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon charge from August 2021, and also a charge of Harrassing Phone Calls from December 2022.