There is a serious question that needs to be asked in the Heather Spencer case: Why is Jim Hood claiming she was beaten and strangled to death? The Mississippi Attorney General stated in his press release announcing the guilty plea of George Bell, III "He went into rehab and, within 48 hours of getting out, he had raped her, beat her with a flashlight and strangled her until she no longer breathed. Heather gave her life trying to change the unchangeable.”
The only problem with that statement is the word "strangled" is never mentioned in the case until the day George Bell, III pleaded guilty to capital murder and kidnapping. Its not mentioned in the coroner's report, media coverage before that day, the police reports, nowhere. Yesterday's post stated:
Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart reported the time of death as 3:00 AM (page 1). A cold chill runs through the body when reading the evidence list: shorts, panties, red stain swabs, a .38 special revolver, post-mortem prints, and a skull fragment. Dr. Hayne reported Ms. Spencer suffered "severe lacerations to the brain, stress fractures, forced anal penetration, and severe tearing of the rectum. The official cause of death was ruled a Homicide with the underlying cause being Cranium Subreial Trauma/Blunt force trauma to the head." Coroner's Report
JJ questioned Hood's statement last year in a post reporting on Bell's sentencing:
"I just saw something that caught my eye on the WAPT website:
"Bell admitted to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and then beating and strangling his girlfriend, Heather Spencer, to death. " http://www.wapt.com/news/15211732/detail.html
This very interesting for several reasons. This is the first time a possible strangling was mentioned. All other media coverage has omitted that word as it has been consistently reported Mr. Bell beat the late Heather Spencer to death and sexually assaulted her. It is strange suddenly today, Mr. Bell said under oath that he strangled Ms. Spencer.
If Ms. Spencer's death was caused by strangling, that would mean she probably died during Monday evening, not Tuesday morning. This is VERY important since Mr. Bell's mother, Robbie Bell, was indicted for being an accessory after the fact as the media reported it was possible Ms. Spencer died Tuesday morning, not Monday evening. Such a scenario would provide Ms. Bell with a possible defense as she would probably not at home when the attack occurred.
There is just one problem with this defense and it is the fact the autopsy established a time of death. Either she died earlier of strangulation, which would shut off the oxygen to the brain or she died of the beating. This is important as it has been alleged Ms. Spencer did not die for several hours. The coroner's report will state the cause of death and if the allegations are true, consequently, there remains a strong possibility a conspiracy between Mr. Bell and his mother exists and his statement he strangled Heather (the family was outraged when they heard this, one of the relatives started shouting it was a lie in the courtroom) is his attempt to get Robbie Bell off the hook."
Thus the question remains: Why did Jim Hood repeat a claim that was only made by the defense and not supported by any available evidence as fact?
Police report
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hood claims Heather Spencer was strangled to death. Was she?
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49 comments:
Is the notion of strangulation cover for what would be a pre-arranged dropping of the charges against Robbie Bell? In other words Hood spins the instant death of strangulation to ameliorate Robbie Bell's inaction when she did NOTHING FOR SEVEN HOURS WHILE HEATHER LAY DYING IN HER HOUSE.
Now isn't that a good question.
The police report mentioning Peters puts things in a new light, doesn't it?
ah...there's the RUB!!!
There is also a section of the coroner's report that lists "Froth" following the word in the box "absent".
This information indicates whether a person suffered respiratory distress immediately prior to death.
Whether this actually applies to strangulation would be interesting. Anyone know the answer to that?
try again:
the absense of froth is an indication that the person did not have respiratory distress immediately prior to death.
I can't help but see a similarity where Robbie Bell refused and then avoided giving a statement and how Stuart Irby is avoiding giving a statement.
What gripes my ass the most is seeing Jim Hood continue to
act in a way that answers to no one. This isn't a question of him not getting elected, it is a question of his legal obligation towards the people of Mississippi.
He goes out of his way to attempt to intervene in federal legal action in Alabama (St Farm) but refuses to pursue action against "his family" Scruggs and Co.
Jim Hood needs to be rooted out.
Kingfish your reporting on this is jaw-dropping. But at the end of the day....what can be done about the unanswered questions? Legally, has this case reached its end? If it's just empty outrage that I'm holding onto and no possible way to legally right this wrong (Hood esp), what's the point? Is there an ear we can scream into to make something happen? Who has the power to pull a trigger here?
There is nothing in the record consistent with strangulation. Nothing. Period.
2:00PM
Legally it has reached its end on the criminal side BUT Hood or Smith can prosecute again if I'm not mistaken. I would like to see pressure brought on them if that is the case.
The other point of all of these posts was to get the truth out there for everyone to see.
Thanks KF. This is one of those cases that should galvanize the community: 1. Robbie is scum and should only exist on the fringe of society, if not in jail. She should not enjoy a nice job with the MJ. 2. Hood is gone. 3. Smith goes with him if he doesn't have the stones to do something about this. 4. My campaign contributions will go to whomever runs against them. 5. Let the community talk long and hard about this, so that we don't ever forget. Maybe you can post this article on each anniversary of her death?
This stinks worse than Scruggs, imo. At least he didn't kill anybody. By not calling for help, Robbie is just as guilty of murder as her baby boy.
1) Kidnapping is a federal offense - why can't the US Attorney bring charges for aiding and abetting that?
2) If you Google on "Cranium Subreial Trauma" the only entry in the world that shows up is this page. I don't recognize that as a medical term. Is something misspelled in the coroner's report?
Those reports were filled with misspellings.
I bet its sub-dural.
craniocerebral
You are right. Page five of the report is where I copies that phrase. Grisham's report states craniocerebral. The JPD cops were HORRIBLE spellers.
ROBERT SMITH
Re-open the criminal case against Robbie Bell!
Kidnapping is a federal offense - why can't the US Attorney bring charges for aiding and abetting that?
2:34, that has crossed my mind also. Why weren't kidnapping charges pursued more diligently? For that matter, why weren't charges against Robbie more aggressively pursued from the get-go? Talk about aiding and abetting! Was Heather's family aware that Robbie would be skipping away scott free?
So many questions. Who in charge allowed this mess to end like it did? What an outrage to truth and justice. Kingfish, tell us who to pressure to get this re-heard. It's just sickening.
Robbie Bell should be in the cell next to her son.
BLIND JUSTICE?
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?s=8080153
One post mentioned KF keeping this going by posting every year, and he does a fabulous job of reporting on the tragic loss of such a beautiful soul. Also, Heather's mom and a group of one's who love Heather have created an organization in her memory. HeathersTree.org is a wonderful resource for women in DV relationships. On October 17, 2009, Heather will be remembered and celebrated at the 2nd Annual Heather Spencer Soulshine Memorial Concert. You can visit HeathersTree.org for more information. Last year HeathersTree was able to present the MS Coalition Against Domestic Violence with a check for $10,000 following the Concert!
Question for you lawyers: I know you can't be tried twice for the same crime, however, I know that doesn't apply to murder, right? Would it apply in this case? For example, can Robbie Bell never be tried again for accessory to murder or whatever the charge was.
Another question: why was the kidnapping kept so quiet in the media? Most people didn't even know about that.
Robbie Bell was never tried for anything, the charges were dropped because our pompous pompadora pompify (the guy with the hair do) Jim Hood decided there was no evidence against
Robbie Bell.
Robbie Bell was never even compelled to give a statement of what her actions were that evening,night,morning,late morning, afternoon.......
Unbelievable. So, if charges were dropped, they're dropped and can never be brought again, right?
How does Jim Hood sleep at night?
Yep, 7:05. If anyone hasn't done it yet, you should go to heatherstree.org and look around for a while. her mother does a WONDERFUL job keeping Heather's spirit alive. It's crushing, yet really inspiring, and is a beautiful tribute to Heather.
They are taking donations for silent auction items for the Oct. concert. (hint hint business owners)
interesting little thing I found in the Police Dept. Statement by Det. Christopher Watkins who was the one flagged down by James Bell.
"I told him what was going on and he called other police officers. Then I received a phone call from Robbie and she told me that she and George had left the house because George thought I would contact the police."
That is James Bell..there were supposed to be 5 other police officers standing there at the time.
Sound like assisting a felon?
Bingo! I believe Anon at 8:52 has correctly identified the "overt act" committed by Mrs. Bell to assist her son in evading the police.
Judge, care to comment?
why can't the u.s. attorney's office, on its own, and/or FBI go after hood, smith, and any/everybody else who knew anything of this "alleged" cover-up on an obstruction of justice charge at least? we all have seen how justice works when left to locals of any color.....not that the feds can or will do any better [as the FBI told me once, in MS if it ain't about public corruption or civil rights they're not interested]....where is 60 minutes when you need 'em?
where is 60 minutes when you need 'em?
THAT is a great idea!
Better than 60 Minutes - what about that old NBC series (now on MSNBC reruns overnight) with a title like "Cold Hand, Black Heart" that only focused on the most heinous, depraved murders (and this one fits right in with the ones that have covered).
I assume you guys know how to email.
There is so much that went on in that house from 8:00PM til 10:30 the next day that Robbie Bell should be accountable. At the very least, the family of Heather Spencer should be able to know what Robbie Bell did all that time.
Is there an active civil case against George Bell III and Robbie Bell?
I read the other post on Linda Francombe and it appears they just recently took George III deposition.
Surely, Robbie Bell is at risk for big civil judgement.
Can you get any more info on that case? at least recap the
case .
KF: I know how to email and I did. Let's see if 60 mins will do anything about it.
There are many of those investigation programs broadcast. This gruesome murder and the questions surrounding Robbie Bell's actions are made-for-TV.
Why did James Bell not call the police as soon as he left the driveway??!! From my reading of the report - he FLAGGED DOWN a passing patrol officer at the corner of Northside and Old Canton?? On his way to taking Elizabeth home?? He knew a heinous crime had been commmitted - he had ADVISED George and PRAYED with him?? He knew that George had taken Elizabeth at gunpoint from her residence and left him at home with his mother AND a gun AND a vehicle???
Calm down spud. From that driveway to intersection is around ten seconds and he was just trying to get her out of there at first. Flagged down cop when he saw car. Nothing wrong up to that point he did
KFish - you are right - I am sorry. I do feel that Mrs. Bell should have been charged with accessory after the fact(is that the correct term?) and tried. Her failure to act was criminal in my opinion.
8:52 VERY good point. This statement makes it pretty clear regarding the accessory charge - in is mentioned at least TWICE in the reports. Not to mention it was her car, she did not remove the keys, etc. WOW!
"I told him what was going on and he called other police officers. Then I received a phone call from Robbie and she told me that she and George had left the house because George thought I would contact the police."
That is James Bell..there were supposed to be 5 other police officers standing there at the time.
Robbie was driving, right?
IF/When a national network picks up this story, it is REALLY going to hurt the political aspirations of Jim Hood. So much for the Governor's seat, CONway.
Then there's the campaign finance reports and his generous convicted donors...
How is it that a material witness (the one who was called to the house which resulted in saving the roommate) can represent Robbie and George, both prior and after the standoff? Judicial power of some sort? READ THE REPORTS AGAIN. Something just ain't right!
My guess is the reason Hood said she was strangled to death was because the guy confessed to doing so when he plead guilty?
KF....one more thing on this. When, exactly, did Hood take over the prosection of Robbie? Was it before or after Delaughter was suspended?
before. Was transferred because of Ed Peters connections to Smith. Family requested it. Unfortunately, no one knew about Scruggs at the time.
My guess is the reason Hood said she was strangled to death was because the guy confessed to doing so when he plead guilty?
No. Saying she was strangled to death fit the narrative needed to exonerate Robbie Bell. There is NO WHERE in any of the police, crime scene, coroner's reporting that indicate Heather was strangled.
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