Mississippi News

Frederick Bell: Parole Board pulls plug on release

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

Outcry prompts Parole Board to pull plug on releasing convicted killer

by Mina Corpuz, Mississippi Today
October 26, 2022

A Mississippi man serving life for murder will not be paroled, the Parole Board decided Wednesday, reversing a previous decision to free him after more than 30 years in prison.

Frederick Bell was convicted of capital murder for the May 1991 shooting of death 21-year-old Robert “Bert” Bell (no relation) during a store robbery in Grenada County.

Gene Bell, Bert’s younger brother, told Mississippi Today that Frederick Bell won’t be reconsidered for parole for two years. Frederick Bell had been set to be released at the end of September.

He had originally received a death sentence, but several court rulings in the past decade paved the way for him to be resentenced and become eligible for parole. Frederick Bell was resentenced to life without parole when the Mississippi Supreme Court found he was mentally disabled and then life with possibility of parole.

One reason Bell was denied parole is because of how his pending release was advertised to the public. Sen. Angela Burks Hill, R-Picayune, had questioned whether the Parole Board followed state law, which says notification must go in a newspaper published or circulated in the county where the crime was committed.

In a Monday interview with Supertalk Radio, Gene Bell said the notice of Frederick Bell’s release was advertised in the Clarion Ledger rather than the local paper, the Grenada Star.

In July, the Parole Board sent a letter to Gene Bell about its decision to parole Frederick Bell because members found he had been rehabilitated.

In response to the board’s actions, Bert Bell’s family members, Grenada community members, state lawmakers and law enforcement groups around the state signed a petition and wrote letters to the Parole Board and Gov. Tate Reeves to ask that Frederick Bell’s parole be denied.

Bell remains at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, according to prison records.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Mississippi News

Defendant in Mississippi auditor’s ‘second largest’ embezzlement case in history goes free

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Anna Wolfe – 2025-06-28 10:19:00

SUMMARY: Four years ago, Tunica nonprofit operator Mardis Jones was arrested for allegedly embezzling over $1 million from a county home rehabilitation program funded by casino revenue. The state auditor accused Jones of misusing funds meant to help vulnerable residents, claiming little money reached contractors. Jones’ defense cited poor program administration and insufficient evidence of theft, with a jury ultimately acquitting him last month. Despite the criminal acquittal, the auditor’s office demanded repayment through a civil claim, which the attorney general’s office had yet to act on, but recently confirmed receipt of the demand letter. The case highlights issues in government oversight and program management.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: June 27-29

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-06-27 07:11:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (June 27-29) in Mississippi offers a variety of events across the state. Central Mississippi hosts the Kiwanis Club of Pearl Golf Tournament, multiple hot air balloon events including the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canton, and exhibitions like Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers in Jackson. There are also family-friendly activities such as Guys and Dolls Jr. in Natchez, Pilates and yoga events in Jackson, and farmers markets in Jackson, Natchez, and Vicksburg. The Pine Belt region features Story Time with a Soldier in Hattiesburg, immersive theater experiences, karaoke, and runs supporting recovery programs in Laurel.

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Mississippi News

Traveling for July Fourth? When to expect the worst traffic, busiest airports

Published

4 days ago

June 26, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Jeremy Tanner – 2025-06-26 13:03:00

SUMMARY: With the Fourth of July on a Friday, AAA expects a record 72.2 million Americans to travel domestically over the long weekend, including 61.6 million by car—a 2.2% increase from last year. Busiest driving days are July 2 and 6, with afternoon hours the most congested. Major highways in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and New York will see peak traffic. AAA advises early departures and vehicle maintenance. TSA anticipates 5.84 million air travelers during the week, a 1.4% increase, with July 6 the busiest airport day. Popular destinations include Orlando, Seattle, and New York, while Vancouver tops international spots.

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