DA Ted Bell And Accountability….We Are Watching

Posted on December 29, 2022 by Deborah Keller

12/28/22

Mr. Bell was reelected to DA again this past November by approximately 30 % of the vote. He had no opposition in the general election so it was a foregone conclusion that he would gain the office.

Now I will be the first to admit that I do not know Mr. Bell on a personal level. I have heard accounts of him being a very good father and person. I do not in any way dispute those accounts.

I do however know what a bad job he has done as District Attorney. One can be a good father and community member and still be bad at their job. This apparently seems to be the case with Mr. Bell.

We have an opportunity to see a new era in law enforcement in our county but will it really mean anything if Ted Bell agrees to release criminals and puts off trials for years? Will it mean anything if he continues to “cover up” for his friends?

If the same players keep breaking laws and being released back into the general population with no more than the inconvenience of being arrested and making bond then what have we gained?

Rutherford County’s new Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg is determined to change the way things have been done here in the past but can he do that if blocked by DA Bell?

D.A.T0000000000000ed Bell with Judge Randy Pool

Let us not forget that this is the man who put off trials for more than six years. The man who has yet to try the Matthew Fenner case against Word of Faith Fellowship members for almost 10 years. The man who told the public that his friend, former Judge Randy Pool, did not commit any criminal acts even though the State Bar said in writing that his behavior was criminal. Bell, the man who admitted in court that he altered a video in an officer shooting incident.

This man, DA Ted Bell has multiple bar complaints against him for his behaviors and a pending lawsuit. Removing him from office is out of our (the general public) hands now but if he loses his license to practice law then he must resign and let someone else be appointed.

It is time to hold those in office accountable for not only what they do but also what they don’t do. 2023 will be a year of accountability. The new Sheriff is trying to be transparent and reporting on activities in his department. Do not hinder his efforts by your silence Mr. Bell.

It is way past time for accountability. No more “cover ups”, no more hidden SBI reports, no more protection of “friends.” Do your job and be accountable to those of whom you serve.

Ted Bell…….No Choice, No Change!

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Deborah Keller

**Opinion**

10-23-22

On May 17, 2022 this county along with McDowell County essentially voted to re-elect Ted Bell for DA for four more years. This was in spite of all the things he has and has not done during his tenure.

D.A. Bell (often referred to by some at the courthouse as the “Invisible Man” since he so rarely tries cases himself) is running unopposed for his office….again. Only thirteen percent (13%) of this county voted him in to represent us in the Republican primary.

This is a man who in case you have forgotten has:

Altered body cam video in a major death by officer case (verified in court), not charged any officer in that case, not released the official SBI report concerning this case or any other case involving the Sheriff’s office.
Who let his friend Judge Pool off the hook for sexual misconduct on the bench. Yet persecuted a woman for eight (8) months for a social media post against a candidate accusing them of “calling” her, then dropping the case on the day of the hearing.
Who has as of yet to try the Word of Faith Fellowship cases after over 6 years, but tried a littering case right away against an attorney who complained about him.
Who also refuses to show families the body cam video from questionable cases about the death of their loved ones until made to by a court order.
Who reportedly has had numerous complaints made about him to the NC Bar Association.
Who lied about his political endorsements while campaigning knowingly endangering the positions of multiple law enforcement officials for violation of the Hatch Act.
Who rarely tries cases in court preferring to have his staff do the majority of the work.
Who is involved in a lawsuit for conspiracy and denial of constitutional rights along with several judges against a local attorney.

Unfortunately we have no choice in this matter. He will win this office even if he only receives one vote. So where does that leave us, the people whom he refuses to represent? We must be diligent in watching and reporting what Ted Bell does and does not do in the next four years. Reporting him to the bar when it is applicable.

When you vote DO NOT MARK your ballot for him. Leave it blank. Show the sentiment of NO CONFIDENCE by not voting for him. Let him see the numbers of how many did not vote for him. You do have a choice by not marking the ballot on any individual who is unopposed if you disagree with their politics.

Hopefully the Bar will act against him the way they did the DA in Henderson County and remove him from office and allow another DA to be appointed. We deserve a DA with integrity, and one who will be transparent and actually represent all the people of this community.

At the very least he could resign and go into private practice but either way he is here now and we have to deal with it as best we can. Stay alert, stay vigilant, and do not allow him to comfortably feel he can continue to act as he has in the past.

Mr. Bell we are watching! The things you have done and not done will NOT be forgotten. Be aware that Karma comes for all, even you.

Claude Keever Receives Plea Deal for Multiple Sex Offenses Against Children

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Deborah Keller

**Opinion**

10-16-2022

Original articles concerning this case.

”WLOS: Feb. 1, 2021: On July 20, 2020, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office received a report alleging that Claude Linden Keever had committed the offense of taking Indecent Liberties with a Child, NCGS§ 14-202.1, a felony crime. Upon receipt of this report, the Rutherford County Criminal Investigation Division contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and requested they join the investigation that same day. Though not all felony crimes initiate a partnership with the NC SBI, the Captain of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Jamie Keever, is related to Claude Linden Keever.

Through the joint investigation of the initial report that was received on July 20, it was discovered that Claude Linden Keever had taken, or attempted to take, indecent liberties with at least three additional persons. These individuals were juveniles at the time that the acts occurred, however, they are now adults.

On October 12, 2020, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the NCSBI, secured warrants for the arrest of Claude Linden Keever. He was charged with four counts of taking Indecent Liberties with a Child and one count of attempting to take Indecent Liberties with a Child. Claude Linden Keever was arrested and a secured bond of $240,000.00 was set. He will have his first appearance in the Court of Rutherford County on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.”

“A Rutherfordton man has been arrested and charged with multiple sex offenses against minors from as far back as the 1980s.

Claude Linden Keever, 85, has been charged with multiple sex offenses against minors that occurred from the 1980s to the present in both Polk and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina.

In Polk County, Keever is charged with 2 counts of felony indecent liberties with a child and one count of first-degree statutory sex offense. His next court date in Polk County is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.”

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Release

January 14, 2021 ·

Arrest and Request For Information

“Claude Linden Keever, 85, of Rutherfordton, NC has been charged with multiple sex offenses against minors that occurred from the 1980’s to the present. Keever currently faces felony charges in both Polk and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina.

This matter is an ongoing investigation involving the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the NC State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI). Anyone with any information pertaining to Keever and the investigations is asked to come forward to speak with investigators. Due to the sensitive nature of these types of investigations no further information can be released at this time.”

On Thursday Oct 12, 2022 Claude Keever finally had his hearing for indecent liberties with a child. He had six (6) counts against him in this particular case. DA Ted Bell offered him a plea deal to plead guilty to three (3) charges with sentencing at the discretion of the court. Sentencing was 12-15 months for each charge to run concurrent to each other with credit for 84 days already served. As of now it looks like he will serve nine (9) months and then will be released without supervision per Judge Tommy Davis.

This case has been before DA Ted Bell since 2020. He has put it off, continued it and otherwise let this predator free to roam among children that he could victimize without any supervision. A “no contact with children” order was issued as a condition of his bond but predators such as this often find ways around those.

This man has been sexually abusing children we are told since 1980. No one but him really knows how long this has gone on. People told others, people in charge knew, yet he was shielded from prosecution.

Why is the question that most people ask? No one wants to believe that these predators live among us. They are often people who have “standing” in the community and are respected by most. There is always an explanation for anything that might come up and of course all the children involved are always making “stories” up for attention.

People actually feel sorry for the predator as he portrays himself as the victim to others. People often say “Oh he is such a good husband and father, such a good man in the community, he can’t possibly be connected with abuse.” You see well-respected people on social media congratulating him on things like a great hole in one at a local golf course. Unknowingly linking their approval of him to his victims.

As a victim you feel hopeless. No one listens, no one believes and worst of all no one does anything about it. I know, as I was a victim of such a man. Not Keever but someone like him. Someone I had no protection from. When I finally came forward his family and friends did not believe me. He was protected by his other friends/family in law enforcement much like it appears Keever was.

I realize as an adult it is horrendous to think someone you know could do such a thing. So horrendous that you turn away from it, but the victims cannot turn away. It is their world. It is a wound that will always ache deep within them. It is an almost unforgivable sin that forever alters their lives and the lives of those who love them.

This man Claude Keever has been committing these sins against children for over forty plus years and has been shielded and protected by very powerful people who I am sure had their own reasons for doing so. Some are family and some are friends but all were complacent in allowing these things to continue.

A very wise person once told me that on Judgment Day everyone had to answer for the sin of omission when they stood by and did nothing while someone abused a child. There are a lot of people who will be surprised on Judgment Day when the subject of Claude Keever comes up and they have to answer for all the many who were affected by the things they turned a blind eye to. DA Ted Bell in particular as he was directly responsible for allowing this man to continue to prey on children. I cannot fathom how he could allow such abuse to continue for so long on his watch.

The abusers like to say “well maybe it was just this one time, or maybe they drank too much and they were just not themselves”but this is far darker and deeper than that. This behavior is never cured. It is not brought on by alcohol or circumstance. It is a deep sickness that lurks in their heart and mind forever. There is no rehabilitation for these type of monsters. If not incarcerated they need to be watched every second of the day if around children. There have been many examples where child predators say they always have the desire to have sex with children they just fear the consequences too much so they try to abstain.

The victims of this man have been crying out for justice for over forty plus years but nothing was done until someone finally had enough guts and power to push the authorities to finally charge him. It is beyond tragic. He has his plea deal now and will serve how ever much time as the authorities see fit of his sentence. He is 87 years old but make no mistake he is still a threat to children as long as he breathes outside of incarceration.

Is this justice for his victims? No, but at least it is a start to their process of acceptance and healing.

We expect our DA to protect us from the criminals not shield them from justice like he did his friend former Judge Randy Poole. How many others he has turned a blind eye to or just continued their cases for more than six years? Why would he do these things……Why????

Claude Keever will eventually die and it would be nice to say the evil within him will die then too but unfortunately he has spread his evil and effected so many that it will continue to live for years and years. The effects of this are generational. Again, I know. It is not a fraternity you want to belong to, believe me.

I am writing strongly about this because I feel strongly about it. It goes on all too frequently in our society. Even the former Sheriff of Polk County Chris Abel was guilty of it (see link) and was protected for years by his friends and co-workers. He ALSO took a plea deal (for NO jail time) when it finally went to court, supported by his deputies in the courtroom. Heartbreaking…..

We as a society have to do better by our children. We have to be more aware and alert. We have to listen and investigate no matter who the accused is. Our law enforcement must do better, have better training and learn to recognize the signs, and there is no excuse for any D.A. to delay by the time these cases get to him/her.

Say a prayer (if so inclined) for the victims of Claude Keever and for the victims of all who have been preyed upon by this type of evil. Hopefully they can come to terms with their trauma and accept it as a part of their life they cannot change and move on from it.

There is no justice when it comes to these acts. You cannot restore innocence and faith in a child so damaged. A sin committed against someone that has no restitution is considered one of the gravest things one can do. Anyone who knowingly protects these people is just as guilty.

Claude Keever, only YOU know how many child victims you have truly traumatized. Judgment Day is coming for you soon. Actions have consequences and yours will be dire for sure.

David and Goliath…….Rutherford County Courthouse 2022

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Deborah Keller

**Opinion**

10-04-22

I went to court this week to watch a case being heard that a local attorney had put forward against several judges, a lawyer and the District Attorney (D.A.). It is a case that has been two years in the making.

I was curious, as this appears to be a classic David and Goliath situation. One young lawyer who went against a judge who was committing sexual offenses in office triggered the “good ole boy” network to come out in force. These judges and the DA knew about their colleague’s misconduct yet they turned a blind eye and let it continue. Once this attorney brought it to light the judge in question resigned.

The offending judge’s colleagues, however, could not let this behavior pass. How dare someone question one of their own? It could not be allowed to continue. They as a group decided to put him out of business according to statements made by witnesses. It appeared no one should dare question a judge’s behavior.

The judges started recusing from hearing his cases. They accused him of writing articles in RC Catalyst about them, yet NO one has presented an article with his name on it. He does admit that he consulted on some of the articles written. Since he was the attorney in question about the Judge Pool case of course he was consulted about the articles concerning the judge. He knew all the details and RC Catalyst wanted to make sure we were correct in their presentation.

Supposedly “a friend” of his who decided to work with the judges, DA, and the other private attorney in this matter showed them emails where he discussed the articles. Yes he was assisting with the technical verbiage of our articles, but so do doctors, engineers, and other professionals when we needed specific guidance on presenting the information in an article.

Did he actually write them….NO. The recusals were all based on this erroneous allegation of him writing articles about them. The defendants also recused from another attorney who was not involved in this at all, based off an incorrect phone number they had obtained. They had to remove his recusals.

They presented this refusal to hear cases in several ways assisted by the District Attorney. Cases were continued multiple times. They did not inform the attorney or his clients that their case would be continued so they continued to have to get off work and show up to court only to be sent home. If they did not show up they were charged with nonappearance even though their case was continued.

One case in particular that was mentioned in the court case was a person who had a DUI whose case had thirteen (13) continuances. (Shameful on the courts part here….)

This recusal matter effectively was shutting his practice down, as people knew his cases were not being heard. The judges and the DA knew this would work in time.

The judges arranged this in a way that it seemed the attorney had no legal recourse. Suing judges is just unheard of. It never occurred to these people in these high positions that anyone would have the audacity to question them and their behaviors.

It did not help that his former “friend” was on a personal social media vendetta against him. She was constantly putting innuendo out about him, his family members, and his motives as an attorney. She admitted on Facebook to working closely with the DA and others in this effort.

All this was being done in a concentrated effort to discredit him not only as an attorney, but also as a person. The “powers that be” wanted him to not only stop investigating them but to go away and disappear. If you are from here then you know the far-reaching powers of the “good ole boy” network. It has been used here for over a hundred years and God help you if you were on the wrong side of them.

Times are changing, however, and people are not tolerating the absolute power and protection these people are afforded. The little people, the unheard, the unprotected are beginning to speak up.

So David went up against Goliath this week in court. The presiding judge was from Mecklenburg County. One humorous note was when the private attorney being sued who was representing himself asked to be compensated for his legal fees to pay himself in this case. Even the judge rolled his eyes at that statement.

The defendant also admitted to receiving confidential attorney/client information on a thumb drive from a deputy sheriff in a hallway on a case in process for a completely unrelated matter because the attorney being sued was mentioned in it. The exact wording in court stated that the deputy said “I got something you would be interested in” when he gave it to him.

It seems they took someone’s cell phone they arrested and made a flash drive of all the conversations with his attorney and distributed them to unauthorized persons. (No conspiracy here…)

The judges, DA, and attorney involved asked for the case to be dismissed. The judges and the DA had someone from the Attorney General’s office in Raleigh representing them. She did everything she could to discredit the young attorney who was representing himself. She leveled insults and innuendoes about his practice and his person.

The young attorney stood his ground against the giants in the room. He calmly explained his claim in court to the presiding judge while not responding to the taunts of the AG office representative. The DA sat alone in the very back of the courtroom watching quietly.

After hearing from both sides the judge took the case and told them all he hoped to have a decision later in the week. The DA looked visibly stunned that it was not thrown out immediately. He left quickly once the judge made his statement.

No one knows how this will play out but regardless of the ruling it will most likely go to the appeals court. Just the very act that someone would finally sue the people of the “good ole boy” network itself for committing conspiracy and denying someone their constitutional rights is hopefully the beginning of the end of their protection and abuse of power. Maybe….

An update will be posted when the judge’s ruling comes in. Regardless this is quite a case and will not be forgotten.

Just like the song says, “The times they are a changing.”

“Laws For Thee But Not For Me”- Ted Bell Does It Again

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Deborah Keller

August 10, 2022

Here in Rutherford and McDowell County we don’t have a choice for District Attorney in November. That decision was made by 13% of voters back in May in the Republican primary.

Ted Bell who has altered body cam video in a major death by officer case (verified in court) not charged any officer in that case, not released the official SBI report concerning this case or any other case involving the Sheriff’s office.

Ted Bell who let his friend Judge Pool off the hook for sexual misconduct on the bench.

Ted Bell who has as of yet to try the Word of Faith Fellowship cases after over 6 years.

Ted Bell who also refuses to show families the body cam video from questionable cases about the death of their loved ones until made to by a court order.

Ted Bell who reportedly has had numerous complaints made about him to the NC Bar association.

Ted Bell who lied about his political endorsements while campaigning knowingly endangering the positions of multiple law enforcement officials for violation of the Hatch Act.

Yes, that Ted Bell, our current District Attorney is at it again. He is not complying with election rules that all others must abide by. The question is why? What is he hiding? How much money he spent? Who donated it, and if so why? It is just habit for him now?

Or does he really truly think the laws don’t apply to him. Hummm………

The Board of Elections requires that all candidates turn in their campaign finance records. They have a set time for them to do this. The date this year was July 12^th. (29 days ago) This is DA Bell’s third campaign. He is fully aware of this yet as of today he still has not complied.

Of course as long as it takes him to hear a trial (unless it’s someone who complained about him to the bar) I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. The question is how long are the people of his district going to turn their heads the other way when it comes to Ted Bell?

You do not have to vote for him (even though he is the only name on the ballot in November) you can leave it blank and show the results. He still will be elected even if he only voted for himself and we all know he has many “friends” who seem to owe him so there’s that.

It is a shame and disgrace that he is representing this district. Our citizens deserve better but as we all know the “good ole boy network” is strong here. Hopefully the bar will address this for us and he will lose his law license and we can have an appointed DA but until then we need to watch and report every time he violates the oath and responsibility of his office.

It is hard to remove a sitting DA but not impossible. (see Henderson County….they did it) Judgement may be slow but it is coming Mr. Bell and if you continue to think you are above it all you will be sadly mistaken. It comes for us all.

Ted Bell ….Accountability Will Come

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Deborah Keller

May 18,2022

The Republican primary is over and Ted Bell has won yet again. There was a total of 12,433 votes cast for District Attorney in the District 29A Republican primary out 57,776 eligible voters. Ted Bell received 7562 votes making him elected by only 13% of the eligible voting population in the district. He has no opponent from any other party so the office is his yet again. SSDD as the younger generation says.

That being said does not mean that the “cloak and dagger” mentality that has existed in the DA’s office under Ted Bell can continue. It was hoped that electing someone new would “clean up” the office but since that is not going to happen then other avenues must be pursued. Can Ted Bell change? It’s possible but unlikely at this point in his career.

Removing an elected (even if only by 13% of voters) District Attorney is difficult, but not impossible. A District Attorney who has admittedly falsified video evidence in a death investigation (considered prosecutorial misconduct), discussed confidential information with others outside his office, and seemingly protected his friend, former Judge Randy Pool, who committed criminal acts (with 33 known victims at this time) so he could retire with his full benefit package to just name a few of his “behaviors,” does not need to be in office.

Last year in Henderson County District Attorney Greg Newman, representing Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties was removed from office on April 27 by Judge Robert Irwin. On Feb. 11, 2021, an affidavit was filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Henderson County asking for D.A. Greg Newman’s removal on various grounds pursuant to NC Gen. Stat.7A-66.

At the center of Newman’s removal hearing was a sexual assault case in which the victim’s family claims Newman denied them the right to be heard in court. More than a dozen families from his district came together to file a motion to have Newman removed from office due to an alleged pattern of willful misconduct. Last year Newman was disciplined by the state bar for making a false statement in a child rape case. He was suspended but still allowed to practice

North Carolina state statute 7A-66, allows any person to request Superior Court to hold a proceeding to suspend or remove a district attorney from office if certain criteria are met.

Under the state statute, the following are grounds for suspension of a district attorney for his or her removal from office:

Mental or physical incapacity interfering with the performance of his duties, which is, or is likely to become, permanent;
Willful misconduct in office;Willful and persistent failure to perform his duties;
Habitual intemperance;
Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;
Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, which brings the office into disrepute; or
Knowingly authorizing or permitting an assistant district attorney to commit any act constituting grounds for removal.

If a D.A. is guilty of even ONE of the seven points listed above then ANYONE can request a Superior Court hearing to have them either removed or suspended from office.

According to the state statute, at the hearing the Superior Court judge will hear evidence and make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and if he/she finds that grounds for removal exist, he/she will enter an order permanently removing the district attorney from office, and terminate his or her salary.

The procedure for removal, as set out in GS 7A-66, includes these steps (from UNC School of Government):

The process begins with the filing of a sworn affidavit charging the district attorney with specific grounds for removal. The affidavit may be filed by any person. It is filed with the clerk of court of the county where the DA lives.

The clerk is to bring the affidavit to the attention of the senior resident superior court judge immediately.

The senior resident judge is to review and act upon the charges within 30 days or refer the matter within that time to another superior court judge who either lives in the district or is holding court there.

The judge reviewing the charges may, but is not required to, suspend the DA pending a hearing if the judge determines that the charges would indeed be grounds for removal if true and that there is probable cause to believe the charges are true. The DA’s salary continues during the suspension.

If the judge determines that the charges are not grounds for removal, or that there is no probable cause to believe they are true, the judge is to dismiss the proceeding.

The DA is to be given written notice of the hearing with a copy of the charges. The statute does not specify who is responsible for giving the notice. In the absence of other direction, the superior court judge who sets the hearing should direct that the notice be served.

The hearing is to be held not less than ten and not more than 30 days after the notice is served.

The hearing may be before the superior court judge who reviewed the charges or any other superior court judge who lives in or is holding court in the district.

The hearing is required to be public and must be recorded.

The judge is to make findings of fact and conclusions of law. The judge must order removal and terminate the DA’s salary upon finding that grounds for removal exist.

The DA may appeal a removal order to the Court of Appeals for error of law. The DA may not perform duties of the office while the appeal is pending. A DA who is reinstated upon appeal or remand is entitled to back pay to the time of removal.

In practice, district attorneys, who prosecute the bulk of criminal cases in the United States, answer to no one. The State Attorney General is the highest law enforcement officer in state government and often has the power to review complaints about unethical and illegal conduct on the part of district attorneys.

You can file a complaint with them at this link https://ncdoj.gov/contact-doj/ or call the numbers below:

Toll-free within North Carolina: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
From outside North Carolina: (919) 716-6000
En Espanol: (919) 716-0058

A Bar complaint can also be filed by ANYONE against Ted Bell. You do not need a lawyer to file a grievance. All you have to do is tell the Bar what the lawyer did that you think was improper. Bar counsel will conduct the investigation and any legal research that may be necessary. You must identify yourself in the complaint.

To file a bar complaint contact them at this link. https://www.ncbar.gov/media/490329/grievance-form.pdf or send a detailed email to complaints@ncbar.gov

If you feel that you or your family have been wrongly treated or represented by D.A. Ted Bell or his office please contact me at debkellercares@gmail.com or editor@rccatalyst.com. Knowledge is power. Together we CAN make a difference and help bring integrity back to the D.A.’s office.

Ted Bell Enrages Family Of Murder Victim In Campaign Post

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Deborah Keller

May 15, 2022

On Friday the residents of both Rutherford and McDowell counties received not one but two political mailers from D.A. Ted Bell. As you may recall the first mailer sent out was shown to be false. He was not unanimously endorsed by law enforcement.

The second mailer showed three cases of child predators incarcerated for long periods but failed to discuss all the plea deals that have let multiple child predators continue to walk free and place children at risk.

The third and fourth mailers that have come out on the same day have equally erroneous messaging. Tough on crime (unless you’re a friend) is HIS opinion, not the general public, and “successfully” fighting the drug problem is an absolute joke. The entire district knows that all too well.

Now in his latest political facebook message he actually took credit for a case he was not involved in and failed to notify the family of the murdered victim that he was using their son’s case as a political advertisement. This is the message that was posted on his campaign Facebook page.

Facebook Page: Ted Bell for DA

Murderer Convicted-Sentenced to Life Without Parole

On Friday April 22, 2022, Walter Sidney Mitchell was found guilty of first degree murder in the July 20, 2018 shooting death of Matthew Pressley. This concluded a week-long trial in which Assistant District Attorney Kent W. Brown prosecuted the case on behalf of the State. Mitchell, who was previously convicted in 2003 of accessory after the fact to second degree murder and first degree kidnapping in an unrelated case, was sentenced to life without parole.

Pressley allowed Mitchell to live with him at his Walnut Grove Road residence in Nebo after Mitchell’s most recent time in prison. Soon after moving in, Mitchell began to treat the house as his own, telling Pressley what he could and could not do in his own home, and bringing in whomever he wanted. One such person was a girlfriend of Mitchell’s who on the morning of July 18 became angry when she discovered that Mitchell had just left with another girlfriend. She took Mitchell’s truck keys and threw them in the woods just outside the house to spite him.

On July 20th, the day after Mitchell’s birthday, Mitchell was dropped off by a friend of Pressley’s at another persons garage. Mitchell was trying to convince that person to buy his truck. He then realized he did not have the keys to his truck and did not know where they were. He became convinced Pressley had stolen them. Enraged, Mitchell got a woman to drive him back to Pressley’s house.

Pressley was out in the yard when Mitchell and the woman pulled in. The woman had a revolver in the cupholder of her car, and Mitchell took the gun when he got out of the car. Mitchell walked straight up to Pressley and struck him twice on the head, accusing him of stealing the keys. Pressley denied having anything to do with them. Mitchell then struck Pressley on the side of the head with the pistol.

Two men in the house heard the commotion in the yard through the open front door. Before they could move in that direction, Mitchell came into the house and walked up to them. Mitchell looked at one of them, waving the gun in his face, and said “I know you won’t be the one calling the law.” The man later said that looking at Mitchell was like looking “at a hull of a person, pure evil like nobody was there.” Mitchell immediately turned and walked back outside to where Pressley was still standing in his yard. The man followed Mitchell to the open door.

Mitchell struck Pressley again on the head. Pressley not able to take anymore took a swing at Mitchell and just grazed his nose. Mitchell then raised the gun from his side, leveled it at his head, and shot him in the face. Pressley fell to the ground and Mitchell walked to him. Standing over apressley, Mitchell said “looks like he’s dead.” Mitchell then turned and walked up to the woman’s car, jumped in and took off without her. The woman and the people in the house fled, leaving Pressley lying on the ground.

The bullet entered Presssley’s jaw just below his lower lip on the right side. It traveled along the jaw, through the neck, and pierced the lower part of the skull, damaging the lower sections of the brain before running up the inside back wall of the skull to come to rest at the back of the head. The areas of the brain that were damaged would have resulted in Presley losing his balance and coordination and his eyesight, perhaps to the point of blindness. The investigation revealed, based on the trail of blood, that after the shooting Pressley got to his feet, made his way into the house, felt his way around the living room to the couch, where he sat down, covered up with a blanket, and died.

Mitchell drove to a friend’s residence where he told the friend “I just killed Matt. I shot him in the face.” Mitchell asked for money and then drove away in the woman’s car. Two days later the car was found abandoned on Roper Hollow Road in Burke County 10 miles up that road where it became a single dirt track running through remote woods.

It took the jury five hours of deliberation over two days to find the defendant guilty of premeditated and deliberate first degree murder. We thank the members of the jury for their service, the careful attention the gave too the evidence and the instructions on the law, and the verdict they rendered that gave justice for Matthew Pressley and his family. We thank the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless dedication to law enforcement and the thorough they do, especially to Detective Billie Brown and Lieutenant Detective Chris Taylor for their work on this case. Our special thanks go to all the witnesses who ultimately came forward and reported what had happened and then testified to the jury. Finally we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Daniel Pressley, brother to Matthew, and to his family for the dedication they have shown to Matthew throughout the tendency of the case and throughout the trial. When Mitchell’s first lawyer had to be replaced, a second lawyer had to be given time to prepare, and then the courts were closed due to COVID, the Pressley family stayed true to their determination to see justice for Matthew.

Ted Bell

District Attorney

The sister of Matthew Pressley, Tabitha Holsonback, needless to say was horrified that he would use the heartbreaking graphic details of her brother’s case to advance his political agenda especially since he was not involved in any aspect of the trial. Never even meeting with the family. Her reply was as follows:

(stock photo)

“I know good and well that you are NOT trying to take any credit for this case Mr. Bell. You left our family suffering in heart wrenching pain for 3 years and 9 months before moving this case forward to trial. When Mr. Brown did his job (and an incredible job if I might add) WHERE WERE YOU? You were NOT in that courtroom, you offered NO SUPPORT to the victims, family, or friends. You were not there when the verdict was reached or the sentence was read. You now want to use Matthew’s death and Walt’s conviction for a campaign ad? Are you kidding me? Were you there when the crime scene photos were put up on the screen and some of us had to get up and leave the courtroom sobbing so uncontrollably and vomiting that we couldn’t sit there? Were you there to offer a kind word or any comfort or support? NO SIR, YOU WERE NOT! You know who was there? Kent Brown, his assistant and a few others behind the scenes to make sure our family was ok. It is quite disgusting you are trying to take this a political stunt, gain some ground for your campaign, and act like you care about the fact we suffered for 3 years and 9 months.

SHAME ON YOU MR. BELL…..I PRAY I SEE KRINN EVANS TAKE YOUR JOB! I KNOW WHO WE ARE VOTING FOR. THIS ALONE HAS SEALED ANY DOUBTS I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE HAD.”

Ted Bell then immediately deleted her reply off his campaign page. He reached out to her on private messenger with the conversation going as follows:

She saved screenshots of the original post along with the messages and replies and posted them to her page after posting the following:

“I am LIVID this morning!!!! So, Ted Bell, this is what we are doing now??? You are using Matthew’s death as a Campaign ad? SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU MR BELL! I Love the fact that he posted a picture of the murderer but not the victim… AND ACTS LIKE HE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS!!! LET ME ASSURE YOU ALL HE DID NOT, IT WAS MR. KENT BROWN, MS ANGIE ( KENTS ASSISTANT) , DETECTIVE BILLIE Brown, and many others with the McDowell County Sheriff’s dep., An incredible forensic analyst, a jury of 12 who sat and watched the entire trial and took notes and asked for evidence and made an informed decision. BUT NOT ONE TIME DID WE SEE TED BELL DURING THIS WEEK OF TRIAL, NOT ONE WORD FROM HIM OFFERING SUPPORT TO ANY OF US, AND NOW HE WANTS TO USE MATTHEW’S DEATH/ WALT’S CONVICTION AS A CAMPAIGN AD!!!!! COME ON MCDOWELL COUNTY,YOU DESERVE BETTER Krinn Evans for District Attorney.”

ADA Kent Brown

After admitting that ADA Kent Brown wrote the actual post on his campaign page, not himself as implied by his signature on the post, Mr. Bell took down the post from his campaign site. She in the meantime has made screenshots of all the posts and replies as she said she was afraid he would deny making them.

Ms. Holsonback has every reason to feel she needed to have proof of what he did as he would possibly deny it. This has been the way he has done things for the past seven years. It is incomprehensible that he would:

Take credit for a trial he was not part of
Use that trial as a political tool for his campaign without considering the family of the victim or at least informing them.
Specifically put his name on a post that he did not write
Delete the reply of the victim’s mother on said post because it was unflattering to him
Then actually put in writing that he did not write said post.

Is this really what you want in your District Attorney? A man who cares so little for the family of a murder victim that he would put them through this for his own personal gain? Not to mention all the other things he has/has not done while in office like these to name a few:

Protection of a judge who committed criminal acts and lied to law enforcement officers about it.
Total lack of transparency concerning anything in the Sheriff’s Office or the jail.
Personal vendetta court cases taking priority over long waiting cases.
Difficult cases (WOFF) being continued 6+ years until no witnesses remember anything about it.
Discussing current murder investigations and sharing depositions with social media people who live out of state.
Not utilizing court time to decrease the backlog of cases.
Asked for a political favor from a police chief to remove a political banner (negative to Ted Bell) off private property.
Misrepresenting official police endorsements to affect an election.

This Tuesday will be the final day to vote in the Republican primary. The reason this is important is this election will decide who holds the office for the next four years. The holder of this office affects every single one of us. This position is the cornerstone of our legal system. The District Attorney decides who does and does not get charged for crimes. We must have someone with integrity and concern for the people in this office. We must demand it and we deserve it. All these example continually show that Ted Bell is NOT the man for this job. It is time to “clean” the courthouse and reintroduce not only respect, but honesty, transparency, and dignity.

We can make our voices heard. We can hold the holders of this office accountable. Go to the polls if you haven’t already and vote for change on Tuesday.

We Deserve it!

Recovery Sentences – Therapy, Work Camp or Sex Trafficking?

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Gayle Clayton, BS, MA

While sentencing a meth addict to a recovery facility instead of prison seems like a good choice to benefit both society and the addict, sometimes it is not. Having worked at a recovery center to collect data on outcomes, a preliminary conclusion is that the best outcomes come to those who choose to go to or embrace rehab.

Last year in an interview with a now sober young couple, the woman’s account of her experience of a court appointed facility, Recovery Ventures, sounded more like being in a work camp with long hours, isolated strict environment, and no pay. Even though the facility purported to have a phased program of progression , according to both there was little recovery there.

This couple was facing felony charges and possible time in prison. Each was wanted on “multiple counts of possession of stolen goods, 12 counts of larceny, three counts of larceny of a chose in action, two counts of financial card theft, one count of possession of methamphetamine and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia” according to the sheriff’s press release. (Those cases have since been resolved.)

As the story was unveiled, there seemed to be some questionable activity in regards to sentences in rehab centers.

The thin attractive woman, represented by a defense attorney, was offered a plea bargain by District Attorney Ted Bell, and she accepted those terms when facing Judge Randy Pool. In effect, the agreement allowed the substitution of one year in a specific recovery center as a substitute for two years of active prison time.

Several questions come to mind:

Why were “clients” forced to sign a waiver of their payment for full-time work in exchange for their treatment program? “Clients” were hired out as wait staff, cooks, and catering staff for nearby resorts and restaurants. Their outside work was contracted to the rehab facility as substantial payment for their residential program of recovery.
This couple told of a toxic rehab facility environment where severe punishment could be dealt for not turning in roommates or other clients in for infractions of rules such as talking to outsiders while at work, having a relationship with another client or staff member, or having possession of a phone. the peer-based modality of treatment, in which the community is the agent of change, we also offer comprehensive clinical services to help individuals meet their goals of long-term sobriety.
Structure is the foundation of leading a healthy life in recovery. According to this couple and the rehab’s advertisements, this facility works on a phase system that provides additional responsibilities and privileges to associates as they advance through the program. However the couple also spoke of an alleged collusion between the rehab director and the sentencing judge to find cause to extend their sentences-especially if the client was a good worker or team leader.
This rehab company was the subject of many reviews, interviewees, and a WFAE investigative article .
RVC was reportedly described as “as his own personal cathouse” by a local drug ring leader. An attendee was told by many about Judge Pool’s personal visits to the facility.

However, Judge Pool and Suzy Bennett, then Director of RVC Women’s Recovery, discussed changing the plea agreement and attempted to force our interviewee to stay for an additional five (5) years. Ms. R was a hard worker and peer leader who rebelled from time to time by breaking the rules. Yet she turned down the facility’s offer to become a staff member.

Judge Pool’s discussing a plea outside of court is a violation of the Judicial Canons of Ethics, a complete subversion of R’s right to due process, as well as very likely a criminal offense.

RVC refused to provide R’s defense attorney his client’s records which were needed to prepare for the next hearing.

Recent investigations have exposed exploitative sexual behaviors targeting vulnerable women throughout Rutherford and McDowell Counties. Many other government officials it seems, attorneys, bondsmen, and police officers were involved in both the drug trafficking/money laundering activities and, to varying degrees, sexual exploitation of women in the legal system who were drug users on the streets.

Now disbarred attorney Marvin Sparrow and former judge Pool were also allegedly assisting one another to force women to engage in sexual activities with both men, and appearing to exploit their roles in the legal system to accomplish those ends, along with a number of other troubling activities.

District attorney, Ted Bell, only charged Sparrow with a minor offense appearing to immunize Sparrow from further charges if any other state agency were to try and charge him. At the time, the district attorney’s decision struck those in the legal community here as strange, but it wasn’t until the same district attorney charged one of the first victims that exposed Judge Pool’s conduct that many of the other issues began to surface.

Judge Pool, it seems, attempted to conceal and destroy evidence, lied to investigators, and, though this part is still a bit uncertain, utilized someone (presumably from law enforcement) to erase every communication Judge Pool had ever sent or posted on Facebook when Judge Pool took down his Facebook social media account. This destroyed all messages to every one of his victims, as well as destroyed communications he was having with one of the most well-known and well-protected drug traffickers in this part of the state.

Significantly, there was another victim trying to come forward in 2017. As he attempted to do in this case, Judge Pool allegedly utilized his connections with the then-McDowell County Sheriff Dudley Greene to immediately attempt to intercept this woman, threaten her, and successfully silence her.

However there may be help for those who attended work rehabs.

FROM REVEAL.ORG . . .

There’s a lawsuit about this type of rehab that similarly hires out its associates without any pay to the workers. They work long hours and receive questionable treatment in return. RVC states that it is a self-sustaining facility .This time the lawsuit is against another rehab nearby called Recovery Connections Community. One of its founders is Jennifer Warren, the former therapeutic director at Recovery Ventures. The suit complains of therapeutic practices similar to the 2007 case (reference), and patients are seeking back wages for the time they worked without pay. The practices at Recovery Connections Community were the subject of earlier reporting by the program Reveal by the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Clermont Ripley with the North Carolina Justice Center is one of the attorneys representing the former patients. One goal of the suit she said is to clear up the discrepancy between state rules which say patients can’t get money for their work and federal labor laws that establish minimum wage standards.

“Hopefully, we will get a judge to clear it up and make it really clear that when somebody works they are supposed to get paid for their work. And then it is their decision what to do with that money they are receiving,” she said.

Ripley hopes in addition to getting her clients their back pay, a ruling will impact other therapeutic communities operating the same way.

This egregious case is among the many contained in a ring of corruption within Rutherford and McDowell Counties.

Ted Bell And Snakes In The Grass

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Deborah Keller

May 13, 2022

When I was quite young I remember my great-grandmother and her neighbor referring to a man they knew as a snake in the grass. I actually was deathly afraid of snakes so I asked her if there were snakes in our grass. That’s when she explained to me what the phase meant.

She said “A snake in the grass is someone who appears harmless or even friendly but in fact is treacherous. They leave you alone as long as you stay on the right side of them but step even a little on the wrong side and they strike.”

The Latin proverb cum totum fecisse putas, latet anguis in herba, means “Though everything looks clean, a snake lurks in the grass.” That’s the issue, everything may look clean, but is it?

Rutherford County has had its share of “snakes.” Here lately they seem to be coming out of hiding more and more. A “snake in the grass” is often considered a deceitful person. Unfortunately we are finding out who these people are by their actions. People in authority who feel that “laws” do not apply to them, or their friends.

Former Judge Randy Pool is the most notable of these “snakes”, but what of all the “snakes” that surrounded and protected him? His fellow judges knew about his behaviors, D.A. Ted Bell knew about his behaviors, Law Enforcement officials knew about his behaviors, yet they did nothing to stop him.

Law Enforcement Officers who do “favors” for those in authority are “deceitful” to the public they serve. Also when they go on social media and try to skew the facts of what actually happened in the performance of a “favor” they are showing their true nature. There are Hatch Act laws for a reason.

The snake in the Garden of Eden lied and seduced Eve into biting the apple. He told her what she wanted to hear in order to get her to do what he wanted her to do. Much like a lot of our politicians in office today. They tell the public what they think they want to hear. They spin the truth to the point of where it seems even they don’t recognize it anymore.

D.A. Ted Bell boasts about the three long prison sentences he got for child predators in his mailer yet he doesn’t tell you about the multiple plea deals he has made with predators that stay out of jail and are free to victimize others. We all know a pedophile does not change. That is NOT protecting our children.

Ted Bell ran on reducing jail time and getting cases heard sooner. He has the longest jail times for offenders yet and has cases still pending after 6+ years.

Ted Bell is running on an integrity platform yet he allowed friend and former Judge Randy Pool to not be prosecuted and retire with full benefits even after admitting his crimes.

Ted Bell is promoted by DraintheSwampConservatives PAC (most members of the former Tea Party) Quite a few of these people have spent years deceiving others. It’s fascinating how they want to “drain the swamp”,yet promote the very people that live in it.

Ted Bell has spent almost sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) as of today on this political campaign alone. I realize that that may not be a lot of money to him but it is more than a yearly salary for most of us. Why, if he is doing his job so well would he need to spend that kind of money to run for office again?

It is time to identify these “snakes” and remove them from our “grass.” These elected officials and Law Enforcement officers work on the taxpayer’s dime. They should work FOR the people, not for themselves or their “friends.”

We deserve better that what we have had for the past seven years in the District Attorney’s office.

Protection of a judge who committed criminal acts and lied to law enforcement officers about it.
Total lack of transparency concerning anything in the Sheriff’s Office or the jail.
Personal vendetta court cases taking priority over long waiting cases.
Difficult cases (WOFF) being continued 6+ years until no witnesses remember anything about it.
Discussing current murder investigations and sharing depositions with social media people who live out of state.
Not utilizing court time to decrease the backlog of cases.
Asked for a political favor from a police chief to remove a political banner (negative to Ted Bell) off private property.
Misrepresenting official police endorsements to affect an election.

We deserve integrity, transparency, and most of all, honesty. I am sure some people had good intentions at some point but we all know what road is paved with those.

Look around, open your eyes and be aware that what you are being told by these people is not what is truly happening. Don’t let the “grass” grow so high that you can’t see the “snakes”.

We have an opportunity to make a difference, to make a change. We can “cut” the grass ourselves. We can take back our counties and demand accountability from our officials. It has been a long time coming here. We the people deserve better than what we have had. (see above) Vote for change. It starts with you.

Go vote. We are worth it!

Early voting is going on through May 14^th with the final primary vote being May 17^th. All unaffiliated persons can vote in the Republican primary. It will decide the race for District Attorney.

Ted Bell’s Million Dollar Marion Mansion?

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Deborah Keller

Ted Bell’s Marion House (contributed photo)

May 10, 2022

I have been surprised at how many people thought District Attorney Ted Bell still lived in Rutherfordton. I guess it’s not surprising since his children still attend Thomas Jefferson in Mooresboro but in fact he now lives in Marion and has for the past three years.

Ted Bell’s Rftd Home (contributed photo)

When he first came here he moved to Forest Hills in Rutherfordton from Birmingham, Alabama. He had a very nice house that his family purchased for $375,000. In 2008 he became an assistant district attorney in District 29A. In 2015, seven years later, Ted Bell became the District Attorney for 29A.

In 2019 he sold his house in Rutherfordton for $385,000 and purchased a 4+-acre property in Marion (same town as his friend Judge Randy Pool) for close to a million dollars. The MLS online pictures of the home are beautiful. It has 4 bedrooms, 4.5+ baths, and 5,116 square feet with a pool and three-car garage with workshop.

He has done well for himself since moving here and that is what we would wish for anyone. However, that is not always the case for a lot of people who live in his district. It is hard to see how he can relate to the general population of people in his district with his income and standard of living.

It is possible to see where he would not understand the difficulty of people who are trying to pay court fines when they are making minimum wage. These people can’t afford lawyers and any unexpected expense can totally disrupt their lives. These people once entered into the “system” have no real chance of getting out of it. The “system” requires money and money is the one thing most of these people do not have.

Most lawyers, judges, and officials who live in million dollar homes do not understand how even a $200.00 fine can disrupt a family’s life. There are currently no programs for indigent offenders to “work off” a fine. They either come up with the money or go to jail. This means often times that rent cannot be paid putting them in danger of homelessness.

Ted Bell constantly talks about community engagement being part of his D.A. duties. How can you be engaged in the community without trying to find a way to help people in these situations? This affects not only the people involved but their families as well. Ted Bell says he “protects the children.” Well who is protecting these children when their family becomes homeless or their electricity is cut off or they are hungry because their parent paid their court fines or worse yet lost their job and went to jail.

Ted Bell has been in office for seven years and has never made any effort to address these issues. People with money get lawyers, pay their fines, and get on with their lives. It is understandable how they really do not realize the situations others not as affluent as they are in, but Ted Bell sees this every day. People, who do not have the money to pay fines, do not have jobs that allow them to take time off for personal issues, do not have family to help. Instead of helping them he is the one who increases the difficulties they face.

These people matter. A person’s importance is not necessarily related to the amount of disposable income they have. It seems that Ted Bell only relates to those of his same socio-economic status. He seems to protect his “friends” while ignoring others. This is not the way it should be.

A District Attorney should represent the people he is elected to serve regardless of their economic status. All should be treated equally under the law and provisions should be made to help people work off their fines who do not have funds available to cover them.

Ted Bell recently sent out a mailer saying he is protecting children in Rutherford and McDowell Counties by giving longer sentences to child predators. On it he names three cases. If he is truly concerned about protecting children why is he supporting programs that take their parents away from them, deny them a home, and potentially place them in foster care becoming wards of the state?

Next Tuesday we have an opportunity to change the “status quo.” This primary election will decide the District Attorney’s race. As much as Ted Bell can afford a million dollar property the majority of us cannot afford his policies to continue. We need empathy, understanding, transparency, and a willingness to look beyond self. That is not something we have ever seen with Ted Bell in his seven years in office.

The golden rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Remember how Ted Bell interpreted this by protecting Judge Randy Pool. Vote for change, vote for helping people in our communities to help themselves. Vote for what is really best at protecting our children…. transparency.

Early voting is going on through this week with the final day of primary voting being Tuesday May 17^th. All unaffiliated voters can vote in the Republican primary. Take back your communities. Vote!