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.
(contributed photo)
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.
(contributed photo)
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.
(contributed photo)
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.
District Attorney Ted Bell
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:
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“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:
District Attorney Ted Bell
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.
As everyone in District Attorney Ted Bell’s district is aware Mr. Bell recently sent out a district wide political mailer stating that the heads of all law enforcement unanimously endorsed him in the race for the office of D.A. in the upcoming May 17th primary election.
Ted Bell’s Political Mailer
The reason this is so very important at this time is that this primary decides who the next District Attorney will be as there is no Democrat party opponent. The race is strictly between Mr. Bell and Marion Attorney Krinn Evans.
D.A.Ted Bell with Judge Randy Pool
There have been numerous complaints and concerns about Ted Bell’s performance as the District Attorney for the past seven (7) years of his administration. The most recent being his apparently “protection” of former Judge Randy Pool. So it was surprising to see him claim that the head of every law enforcement agency in his district endorsed his candidacy.
The real surprise being that it is actually against the law to politically endorse a candidate if you or your department receive any federally funded grants or monies. All of these named officials departments receive federal funding in some form.
Mr. Bell knows about the restrictions and penalties of violating the Hatch Act, yet he still went with this advertising campaign putting each official and their department in potential jeopardy. After having it brought to his attention he tried to “walk it back” on Facebook with a post saying that they were “personal” endorsements, not official ones. Hummm….not what the flyer received in the mailbox (shown above) said.
Mr. Bell has not posted any written endorsements by any of these officials. Each official was contacted multiple times via email and asked specifically if they endorsed Mr. Bell. Now be advised each of these officials work for the taxpayer and are answerable to them. Silence from all but one……..
Marion Police Chief Allan Lawrence did answer the request for comment saying “ The only position that I have taken in this matter has been an indication of personal support for the current District Attorney’s office.” He specifically used the word “office” not “person” or “political”. I have to take a minute and congratulate the people and city of Marion for having a Chief with such integrity to be brave enough to stand up and state publicly exactly what he said.
These are the “SILENT” ones,
Chief Clint Ingle of Rutherfordton Police Department (who it appears recently removed a banner with Ted Bell’s image on it illegally at Ted Bell’s request),
SILENT!
Spindale Police Chief Eric Shelton
Chief Eric Shelton of Spindale Police Department,
SILENT!
Chief Chris LeRoy of Forest City Police Department,
SILENT!
LLPD Sean Humphries
Chief Sean Humphries of Lake Lure Police Department,
SILENT!
Old Fort PD Chief Melvin Lyle
Chief Melvin Lytle of Old Fort Police Department,
SILENT!
Sheriff Chris Francis
Sheriff Chris Francis of Rutherford County, and
SILENT!
McDowell County Sheriff Ricky Buchanan
Sheriff Ricky Buchanan of McDowell County have all remained suspiciously quiet.
SILENT!
These officials have not replied to multiple emails asking about their professional versus personal endorsements of Ted Bell. Even after being told that they could be reported for violating the Hatch Act. I do understand that they have in fact been reported for investigation to the U.S. Special Council for violating this law due to the fact that they have remained silent.
A violation of this can result in dismissal and loss of funding for the official/department found in violation. It is a very serious charge with very serious consequences. Mr. Bell has in fact, by doing this, put his entire district in jeopardy.
Their silence on this matter does not release them from this, quite the contrary. It makes them seem guilty. I do feel for them as they are proverbially caught between a rock and a hard place. If they confirm, then they are guilty of breaking the law, if they don’t then they are guilty of confirming that D.A. Ted Bell was lying about their endorsements and since he continues in his position until January it could make making working with him very difficult.
Either way Ted Bell has put them in an untenable position. It is hard to believe that only one of these gentlemen “manned up” and actually answered the question asked. What does that say about the leadership of law enforcement in our communities? Silence in this instance is not golden.
Transparency must be returned to our governing bodies. It starts with you. Vote!
Your vote in tis primary determines who our next District Attorney will be. Vote for honesty and transparency.
Early voting continues until May 14th. Final voting in this primary is May 17th.
How many questionable decisions has District Attorney Ted Bell made in his tenure here? It obviously is an answer that will take years to fully discover. The latest is his decision to use public political endorsements of law enforcement officials in radio ads on WCAB, social media, newspapers, and mailers.
Mr. Bell as an attorney and current District Attorney is certainly aware of the Hatch Act. It clearly states that “The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939, limits certain political activities of federal employees, as well as some state, D.C., and local government employees who work in connection with federally funded programs. The law’s purposes are to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion, to protect federal employees from political coercion in the workplace, and to ensure that federal employees are advanced based on merit and not based on political affiliation.”
“The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state, District of Columbia, or local executive agencies and who work in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. Usually, employment with a state, D.C., or local agency constitutes the principal employment of the employee in question. However, when an employee holds two or more jobs, principal employment is generally deemed to be that job which accounts for the most work time and the most earned income.” (See link here)
Mr. Bell seems to have forgotten that the stated endorsers he has listed all have federal funding sources and therefore are subject to the Hatch Act. (see above) After an extensive search online I was unable to find any stated confirmation of these endorsements. I reached out via email last Thursday April 28th to all the individuals mentioned to receive direct confirmation of their endorsement explaining to them that I was writing an article about it.
No one mentioned above by Mr. Bell has replied to my original email. I then emailed Mr. Bell directly asking if he had written endorsements from these officials. He too did not answer my email but did post within a few hours of my sending it regarding his endorsements on his Ted Bell for DA Facebook page.
D.A. Ted Bell
“April 29 at 7:00 PM ·
I never want to be misinterpreted or to mislead anyone, so based on a couple of questions I received I want to clarify. As I have always said, I have been unanimously endorsed by the heads of all of our local law enforcement agencies – the Chiefs and Sheriffs. This endorsement is in their personal capacity – obviously, a Town or Police Department cannot endorse someone, and I don’t want someone to misunderstand and think that I am stating that I am endorsed by a Town or Police Department as opposed to an individual.
Thank you for your support,
Ted”
I then emailed all the supposed endorsers of Mr. Bell and asked for a direct confirmation or denial of the endorsement along with their department’s policy on endorsing partisan politicians. I also asked if their departments directly or indirectly receive federal funding. I did copy Mr. Bell on this email. As of right now I have not heard back from any of them regarding this except Marion PD Chief Allen Lawerence who asked for my article deadline date.
It is very concerning that only one of the “public servants” emailed answered me. These people have sworn to protect and serve the public in their individual communities. How can the general public feel protected if they fear retaliation for not supporting the political candidate that the department Chief or Sheriff has endorsed. This is the entire purpose behind the Hatch Act, to decrease political coercion of any kind.
If you as a citizen are concerned about this you can file a complaint about these officials with U.S. Office of Special CounselClick on this link “File a Complaint”or click on the green button on the right hand side under the banner on the home page. They will investigate this and have a hearing. This is a link to complaints they have heard (click here)
If you are concerned about Ted Bell’s actions you can also file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office in Raleigh. (see link)If you go to file a complaint be sure to check “received in the mail” if you received an endorsement flyer. Also you can attach the flyer you received or a screen shot of social media. If you need to call Toll-free within North Carolina: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
You can also complain to the NC State Bar. Anyone can file a complaint to the Bar Association about any practicing lawyer. For info click here To directly file a complaint you can click this linkhttps://www.ncbar.gov/media/490329/grievance-form.pdf or call (919) 828-4620. Individuals who file grievances in good faith against a North Carolina lawyer are protected by statute from retaliation.
Ted Bell himself has shown by his Facebook post (as seen above) that he knows using official endorsements are out of line but it’s too late to retract it as the mailers and social media ads have all gone out to the public.
D.A. Ted Bell
It’s one thing for Mr. Bell to personally erroneously represent his endorsements as official statements but to throw these men and their departments “under the bus” (so to speak) for his own political gain seems unconscionable even for him.
Is this the man you want to represent you as District Attorney? One who seemingly conveniently “forgets” major points of law or feels the law does not apply to him when it suits his purpose? One who has no issue with endangering other officials with his actions? This man who stands up publically and says he is the embodiment of “ethical behavior.”
When you consider the length of time it takes to have a case heard by him, the plea deals, the protection of Judge Pool, the admitted alteration of body cam video in a death by officer shooting, his working relationship in the office, and now the questionable endorsement mailer it makes you wonder. It makes us all wonder.
(contributed photo)
Rutherford and McDowell County both deserve better than this.
Please go vote for integrity, for transparency, for ethical behavior, for legal knowledge, but especially for change. You can make a difference.
Early voting is going on now. Final primary voting date is May 17th. All unaffiliated voters are eligible to vote in the Republican primary.
This article will be updated as new information is received.
Today would have been Ethan Calton’s 30th birthday. His family and loved ones will be celebrating his life and memory today. His story is as follows.
Ethan was shot in the back during a service for arrest by officer Tyler Green with Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office on December 1, 2020. There were numerous questions concerning this case at that time as well as today still. Supposedly the SBI investigated the shooting thoroughly, but the results of that investigation were never released.
District Attorney Ted Bell
The family of Ethan had to take DA Ted Bell and current Sherriff Chris Francis to court to even be allowed to view the body cam video. After viewing it they found they had more questions than answers and that the date stamps did not appear to be consistent throughout the video. See the WLOS story and video here.
When questioned in court District Attorney (D.A.) Ted Bell confirmed to the judge that he had “stabilized” the video and it was a bit shorter in length than the original. D. A. Bell then released an enhanced version of a still shot off the video to the public.
The judge ordered him to show the entire unaltered video to the family. After seeing the unaltered version there were even more questions. When the video was released to the general public many questions were asked by them also.
Nowhere in this heartbreaking video did you see Ethan with a gun in his hand nor did you see any officers rendering first aid to him after he was shot. They never even checked a pulse. He was literally left lying where he fell while they walked over and around him.
It appears that this was Officer Tyler Green’s fifth incident with discharging a firearm in three years while working for Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. D.A. Ted Bell did not press charges against him, nor have we heard if any type of psychological evaluations on Officer Green for firearms safety have been done.
Ted Bell is running for D.A. in the May 17th primary. He was called out by the judge in this “death by officer”, but how many other things similar to this has he intervened in? Since he has been in office, how many things has he filed away?
He claims to have a high conviction rate via plea deals, but how many such deals has he made by making people think they had no other choice. With such power should come responsibility. Have we really seen that with Ted Bell?
Cases that he was concerned about have languished six (6) or more years waiting to be heard. So much can happen in that time to cause a case to be dismissed. Is he truly acting responsibly to the people he was elected to serve?
Former Judge Randy Pool
What about the issue of “protecting” former Judge Randy Pool?
What about hearing the cases against Word Of Faith Fellowship members for an incident that happened in 2013?
What about the overdoses and deaths that have occurred at our jail during his tenure?
Who is he supposed to serve, the people of our communities, or his friends and co-workers?
What about the arrogance of thinking it was acceptable to alter a body cam video concerning a death by officer?
Is Bell who we really want to represent us-someone who seems to think that position and power are more important than actual justice for victims.
Today Ethan’s mother Gwynne Miller King mourns the unnecessary death of her son on the 30th anniversary of his birth. His three young children will celebrate this bittersweet day with their mother, unfortunately quickly losing the memory of him with time.
Ethan was not given the opportunity to grow and be a father to his children or be there to help his mother as she grows older. People make mistakes in life, but those types of mistakes should not cause them to be executed by firearm and left to lie in the dirt alone.
Nothing will bring Ethan back to the people who loved him. They know in their hearts who he was. They also know how senseless his death was.
Justice must be served in this case someday. However, justice sometimes takes time and people who care about the truth. Ted Bell is not one of those people it seems.
Rutherford and McDowell County citizens deserve someone who actually cares about doing “the right thing.”
Gwynne, the community wraps their arms around you and your family during this time and sends you much love. Ethan will not be forgotten by them and neither will seeking justice for him.
The District Attorney race is heating up for the 2022 Primary on May 17, 2022. Current District Attorney Ted Bell is running for re-election against Marion criminal attorney Krinn Evans.
There has been much controversy about how incumbent D.A. Ted Bell has not condemned or charged former Judge Randy Pool for his sexual misconduct while in the courthouse, Pool’s lying to authorities as well as extraordinarily long trial wait times (6 years in several cases).
Attorney Krinn Evans
Attorney Krinn Evans decided that after encountering the obvious issues in the current D.A’s office, along with Judge Pool’s transgressions, that he was inspired to leave his lucrative practice and run for district attorney.
This has caused quite a quandary in the Republican party itself as the majority of the old guard who previously supported Ted Bell continue to do so as the incumbent. In his seven (7) years in office, Bell has made many advantageous contacts in the political world of Rutherford and McDowell counties.
Former judge Randy Pool
One of the issues that seem to be brought up at every candidate forum is the apparent “protection” of former Judge Randy Pool by current DA Bell. It is an issue that many people in the community have questions about. People also want to know why high profile trials have been languishing six (6) or more years without being heard or resolved.
It used to be that people could hear both candidates’ platforms in the WCAB interviews with Jim Bishop. Bishop has been doing these for many years at his radio station. I was trying to find the time and date of the D.A. interviews when I was told there would not be one.
I felt sure this was incorrect as this was such an important race to not only the citizens Rutherford, but McDowell County as well. I knew Jim Bishop was very involved in the Republican party so I sent him a message about this as follows:
Q: “DA is one of the most important races in both counties and you have always done interviews before. Do you have a particular statement about not doing them”?
A: “Due to the lack of available time during this primary and the number of candidates running in the local election we opted to concentrate on the Rutherford County election. The DA race and the NC house race and NC Senate races are important races and deserve attention but with limited time for interviews I had to make a decision on what to cover with the time I have so the multi-county races were the ones I chose to leave out. I regret it, but it was a decision I had to make. If any of the other candidates feel slighted I apologize, but they can always request paid political ads to boost their campaign.” –Jim Bishop
So basically it seems that Mr. Bishop is saying that the D.A. race is not as important to the citizens of Rutherford County as School Board, Clerk of Court, or Commissioner races. Interesting take on it considering the issues, and that the winner of this primary will be the final and only candidate on the ballot for district attorney in November.
The “good ole boy” network does seem to be alive and thriving in Rutherford County and as usual are protecting their own.
Do your own research about the district attorney candidates. Look closely at Ted Bell’s record for the past seven (7) years. What has he done and what has he NOT done and why do the “powers that be” not want you to hear about it? Attorney Krinn Evans want to bring back not only speedy trials, but also actual transparency to the D.A.’s office. Why are “they” trying to silence him?
It seems the “keep quiet” mentality about Ted Bell’s record in office has reached the local media. However, we are ALL aware of media slant at this point when it comes to politics.
Ask questions, be informed, and vote not just for yourself, but with concern for the citizens of Rutherford and McDowell County. Vote for justice. Vote for our future!
Remember the May 17th GOP primary will decide the office for November.
Unaffiliated registered voters may choose to vote in the GOP primary.
Like so many here in Rutherford and McDowell County I have so many questions about how former Judge Randy Pool just “walked” away from any criminal charges for his behavior. (See link from Judicial Standards Commission here)
Mr. Bell goes to great length on his webpage to explain legally why he hasn’t charged Pool with anything, but that still begs the question of why not? Is he afraid of former Judge Pool’s lawyers? Is he afraid of Randy Pool? If so, why?
Former Judge Randy Pool
Besides how he preyed on women while sitting on the bench in court, Judge Pool LIED to authorities, he LIED to his co-workers in the justice department, he according to DA Bell, LIED to him. He out right LIED! “As in his earlier interview with the captain and detective from the Sheriff’s Office, Pool FALSELY stated to the SBI that his and Tierce’s communications were almost exclusively via Facebook, and denied they communicated significantly by text. However, by the time of this interview the SBI had already reviewed the text messages between him and Tierce and knew the two had been texting.”–Ted Bell for DA website
DA Ted Bell
Even Mr. Bell states that he lied; yet that was OK? What would happen to the average citizen if they lied to the entire justice system about anything they were investigating and made a false police report?
The public all knows that laws are subjective. Right or wrong, WHO or WHAT you know can protect you from charges in the right circumstances. We have all seen it play out in the court system.
A Shakespearian phrase “Methinks thou dost protest too much” comes to mind here. If there was truly nothing “wrong” or “criminal” with Pool’s behavior, then why put an entire page about it on your website with lots of legal “doublespeak?”
As much as Mr. Bell tries to dismiss this issue, it is, in fact, very important to the communities whom he serves. Former Judge Pool preyed on women, especially women in a compromised situation. He used his power and influence to pursue sexual gratification even while actively working at the courthouse. Mr. Bell knew this long before the Tierce incident came to light and yet did not pursue steps to stop it until he was forced too when it became public knowledge by Pool forcing charges against Tierce. Also don’t forget other judges were aware of Pool’s behaviors and remained silent.
Where was the public’s protection by the legal community from this predator that apparently they all knew about? We hear the term “good ole boy network” often. This appears to be a prime example of that.
A question here is, if former Judge Pool went to trial what exactly would he say about the environment in the courthouse? Was this behavior peculiar to just him? This is a place where people are vulnerable to the powers of the judicial branch. Was dropping Pool’s prosecution a way to figuratively sweep other people’s behaviors in the courthouse under the rug?
This community has an opportunity to place someone in a position to investigate the rumors and prevalence of this type of conduct. Someone who is not a part of the good ole boy network which has existed there for so long. Someone who promises transparency in all aspects of the office.
Please search your conscience before you vote for District Attorney. This race will be decided in the GOP primary election in May. If you feel that there is anything that has been covered up, silenced, or pushed aside (e.g.-6 year trial waits) or, are just ready for open government in the district attorney’s office and in the courthouse, then vote for Krinn Evans for District Attorney.
Ted Bell has been in office for eight years. Absolute power can corrupt absolutely. It is the reason that term limits are needed for such powerful local elected offices. It is time for a change. Vote Krinn Evans for that change.
While investigating what goes on in the District Attorney’s office, it seems that whatever Ted Bell says goes (even though he tries to say the State dictates most of his decisions.) Yesterday during my questioning about how things work in the office, it was said that Mr. Bell commonly changes court dates by moving them up from the originally scheduled dates without notifying the victims, the defendants, or the attorneys involved.
It seems that would be considered a denial of due process. After talking to several attorneys in the area who didn’t disagree, I found that regardless of that, it is, in fact, happening. I asked if this was not illegal, as it seems to violate everyone’s right to know their trial date. The attorneys said it was totally up to Ted Bell and he is known for doing it frequently.
When checking with several courthouses in adjoining counties the majority of them have a notification system in place if a trial date is changed so that all parties are aware. In Ted Bell’s courthouses both here in Rutherford County and in McDowell County, the attorney’s have to check online every single day, sometimes twice a day, to try to keep up with date changes.
In some cases they are actually just posted on the board in the courthouse where persons actually have to physically come in and look for them. (see example)
Courthouse trial postings
This should be totally unacceptable. Victims have no idea that dates have been changed, witnesses are unaware, police officers and defendants do not know. People have to get childcare and take time off work to go to these things. Yet, Ted Bell can just arbitrarily move a trial date up as it suits him with no regard to how it affects everyone involved.
Now, one reason I have heard being given is that he says the trial docket is too full and changes have to be made. That could be understood if he moved it to a later date and then informed all the parties involved in those incidences, but to move it up……???
District Attorney Ted Bell
The question to ask is about the “fairness” of this. One can go with the fact that it’s not criminal, as we all know Mr. Bell had a definite idea about what is and isn’t a criminal act (ex. Former Judge Randy Pool). Yet this does seem it could create a ripe environment for personal vendettas against specific people or lawyers.
Also between Mr. Bell and the Clerk’s office there should be enough staff that someone could make sure people are notified that their trial date had changed. You cannot reasonably expect people who do not work in the criminal justice division to know how to check the docket online or come by the courthouse to see what is posted. Most persons are nervous about just going into the courthouse for any reason.
It seems that more and more about the “goings on” in this office are coming to light. There is much more happening than just meets the eye. Lord John Edward Acton said in 1887 “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”That is why transparency in this office is so vital to this community.
Please think about your vote for District Attorney in the primary this May. (Unaffiliated voters can choose to vot in the GOP primary.) It will decide the race as there is not anyone from another party running.
If after close scrutiny you feel Ted Bell is the right man for the job then so be it, but if you have questions….. any questions at all about how he has handled WOFF cases, police investigations, courthouse behaviors, long trial wait times, or the Judge Pool case, then vote for Krinn Evans. Give an experienced criminal attorney a chance to be transparent with the community that elected them and get this backlog of cases through the court system. Vote for someone who will put the people first.
Krinn Evans (DA Candidate)
Ask questions, be aware. Make your vote count for you as well as your community.
The District Attorney is the lynchpin of our justice system here in Rutherford County as well as in McDowell County. Many people, however, do not understand exactly what their duties are or how much power they wield.
Prosecutors (District Attorney officers)are the most powerful officials in the American criminal justice system. They control the direction and outcome of all criminal cases, particularly through their charging, prosecution and plea-bargaining decisions.
Because punishment for a crime is largely determined by the sentence that lawmakers have established in the criminal code, the prosecutor often has more power over how much punishment someone convicted of a crime receives than the judge who does the actual sentencing.
In addition to deciding how to proceed on criminal charges, prosecutors in North Carolina also:
Refer/approve cases for diversion programs, for example specialty courts for people whose charges are related to mental illness or substance use.
Review cases involving misconduct or use of force by police and decide if charges should be filed.
Coordinate and consult with victim advocates in sensitive cases, like domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Refer cases to the Grand Jury for indictment, and at times special investigation.
District attorneys have significant decision-making power and the decisions they make have a big impact on the community. They can decide whether criminal charges are brought to court, which cases are dismissed or diverted from court, and to some extent, the sanctions that people convicted of crimes will face.
Basically they decide who gets charged and for what.
One of the issues historically with this type of power is that certain persons strive hard to subvert it. The longer you hold an office of power the harder it becomes to continue to fight these influences. This is one overwhelming argument for term limits in elected offices throughout the country.
The District Attorney’s office is supposed to be the watchdog of the police as well as the general public. When an ADA subpoenaed the sheriff for trial testimony, Bell canceled it. The missing items in the evidence room, jail deaths, overdoses, and mistreatment of inmates by law enforcement remain critical, but seemingly not handled with transparency for public awareness. However, the lack of transparency is evident in how communication is handled to the people that the law enforcement departments and judicial system supposedly serve.
If not for media coverage of local events, the knowledge of a man’s death at the RC airport, the suspicious death of Van Buskirk at former Judge Randy Pool’s home, and the deputy shooting of Ethan Calton in the back at close range may not have been made public.
Here in Rutherford County during Ted Bell’s administration we have had multiple issues with incidents involving our Sherriff’s Office where silence seems to be the preferred method of communication from the District Attorney’s Office. To the point that people have actually had to take them (The DA’s office) to court to get them to release body cam information that they were entitled to by law and even then their office altered evidence and had to admit to that in court.
Former Judge Randy Pool
The most prominent recent issue is with former Judge Randy Pool. This man committed so many ethically incorrect actions that it is almost unbelievable. It is a known fact (admitted by both Pool and Ted Bell) that he lied to everyone about what was going on. Other judges, court personnel and Ted Bell knew what was going on. A staff member of Mr. Bell’s office actually went to him about it and it was never properly addressed.
A transfer of a court officer was arranged when she complained of sexual overtures made by Pool. Did any of her superiors report these incidents or was it swept under the rug?
These mishandled incidents by themselves are so unbelievably wrong. The Assistant District Attorney was harassed at work, reported it to her superior, and he ignored it.
DA Ted Bell
Now Bell has an entire page on his campaign site devoted to why he did not charge Randy Pool with any wrongdoing. At no time, however, has he condemned Pool’s actions.
This is a quote from his page: “When Pool received the extortion demands from Tierce he called a captain with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and asked if he would go talk to Tierce and tell her it is wrong to try and extort money from a judge. Pool’s request to the captain was improper – Pool should have filed a proper complaint with law enforcement. However, it is not a crime in North Carolina to ask a law enforcement officer to explain to someone that what they are doing is a crime, regardless of whether the person making the request is a regular citizen or a judge.”
“The captain and another detective interviewed Pool the next morning to gather information about the alleged extortion. Pool stated in that interview that he and Tierce communicated via Facebook but falsely stated they had not communicated by text, when in fact they had.”
If a “citizen” makes a request that is one thing but when a judge, who has a great deal of power, sends law enforcement to your house that is a completely different matter and everyone knows that. This does leave the question of why has Mr. Bell taken a totally “hands off” policy towards former Judge Pool?
What does this say about the current environment or social culture at the courthouse?
Who else is involved in these types of behaviors that we don’t know about?
Truth is a hard thing to pin down especially when it seems to be convoluted by those who were elected to be in charge. Last Saturday Ted Bell said he had to wait six (6) years to bring a woman to trial who was found innocent because her son, who initiated the charges, was too fragile to testify. Yet during that time the Army thought the witness was stable enough to sign him up and give him a weapon. Judgement call…….hummmm??
Additionally, there is a backlog of untried and unresolved cases of many years.
For example, in the infamous Matthew Fenner and Word of Faith Fellowship (WoFF) assault cases, presiding Judge Pope at the mistrial conclusion of the only case prosecuted (by then ADA Garland Byers, Jr.) ordered District Attorney Ted Bell to retry that case as soon as possible.
In the courtroom Bell replied he could put it on the trial calendar for the next week. It’s now been SIX YEARS and that retrial still has not been put on the trial schedule.
Meanwhile the other WoFF related defendants’ cases have remained in limbo as well. The right to a speedy trial seems at stake.
The only thing I can say about it is if you are happy with the way things have been for the past eight (8) years here in the courthouse in Rutherford and McDowell County, then vote for Ted Bell. If you have questions or concerns about anything, then vote for Krinn Evans, an experienced, respected criminal attorney and successful firm manager. It does seem it is time for a change.
Krinn Evans
Do remember that no Democrat or Unaffiliated candidates have registered to run for the office of the district attorney. The Republican primary on May 17 will decide who our next DA is. If you want your vote to count for District Attorney, you will have to vote on the Republican ticket in the primary.
All Republicans and Unaffiliated voters can vote during the primary on the Republican ballot. Doing so does not affect your status during the general election in November.
I am Krinn Evans, and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for District Attorney for McDowell and Rutherford Counties. To introduce myself let me say first and foremost that I am a native of North Carolina, born on April 26, 1968 in Watts Hospital, Durham North Carolina. My father’s work took our family to several different states including South Carolina, Connecticut, Washington State and back to North Carolina. I earned my rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and have carried the same honesty and integrity into my adult life. Coming back to North Carolina, I graduated from Appalachian State University in 1990 and went to law school at the University of South Carolina. Upon passing the North Carolina State Bar in 1993, I joined the law firm of Carnes & Franklin in Marion, North Carolina. I left the firm in 1995 to open my own office and have continued to serve the citizens of McDowell and Rutherford Counties since that time. Now after 27 years of being a private attorney, I have been called to serve my fellow citizens in public service as your elected District Attorney.
My election and my service as your District Attorney will revolve around my mission to provide professional, accountable, and transparent service to my fellow citizens. Professional representation must be first and foremost as the District Attorney. No longer can we afford a District Attorney whose aim is to protect those in power who prey upon the average citizen, in my administration every citizen will be valued regardless of whether they voted for me or not. I will not hesitate to charge and prosecute any individual who has committed a crime, regardless of their station or background.
Accountability is just as important as professionalism. Accountability comes in the form of reporting to my fellow citizens the results of the taxes spent under my leadership, and records keeping with an eye on reporting back to citizens that elected me to office. It has the additional benefit of always requiring the very best in conduct becoming the office, not only for me as your District Attorney but those serving under me whether they be lawyers or staff. Accountability also requires a strict following of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and my oath as your District Attorney, and which I will spend every day earning your trust in my performance.
This leads to the third quality I want to establish as your District Attorney, that of transparency. As with accountability, transparency for the voters shall be the hallmark of my office. I will encourage those victimized by crime to reach out and let me and my staff be your advocates in the courtroom. While the District Attorney enforces the laws of the State of North Carolina, he must always be cognizant of the needs of the victims of crime. Under my leadership there will be staff in both counties whose work includes reaching out to victims and victims’ families to insure that they know of what is happening in the criminal cases brought. Transparency means that there will be no secret meetings involving the district attorney and judges, those meetings if necessary will happen during regular business hours in open or public meeting. To do any less invites speculation and thoughts of conspiracy as to what is happening behind closed doors.
With these three qualities defining my service as your District Attorney I know that my office and the whole of the court system will be a point of pride for you and your family.
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.
“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.”
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.
Chief Clint Ingle of Rutherfordton Police Department (who it appears recently removed a banner with Ted Bell’s image on it illegally at Ted Bell’s request),
Chief Chris LeRoy of Forest City Police Department,
Even after being told that they could be reported for violating the Hatch Act. I do understand that they have in fact been reported for investigation to the U.S. Special Council for violating this law due to the fact that they have remained silent.
Mr. Bell as an attorney and current District Attorney is certainly aware of the 
It is very concerning that only one of the “public servants” emailed answered me. These people have sworn to protect and serve the public in their individual communities. How can the general public feel protected if they fear retaliation for not supporting the political candidate that the department Chief or Sheriff has endorsed. This is the entire purpose behind the Hatch Act, to decrease political coercion of any kind.
You can also complain to the NC State Bar. Anyone can file a complaint to the Bar Association about any practicing lawyer. For info 
three years while working for Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. D.A. Ted Bell did not press charges against him, nor have we heard if any type of psychological evaluations on Officer Green for firearms safety have been done.
help his mother as she grows older. People make mistakes in life, but those types of mistakes should not cause them to be executed by firearm and left to lie in the dirt alone.
As much as Mr. Bell tries to dismiss this issue, it is, in fact, very important to the communities whom he serves. Former Judge Pool preyed on women, especially women in a compromised situation. He used his power and influence to pursue sexual gratification even while actively working at the courthouse. Mr. Bell knew this long before the Tierce incident came to light and yet did not pursue steps to stop it until he was forced too when it became public knowledge by Pool forcing charges against Tierce. Also don’t forget other judges were aware of Pool’s behaviors and remained silent.
This community has an opportunity to place someone in a position to investigate the rumors and prevalence of this type of conduct. Someone who is not a part of the good ole boy network which has existed there for so long. Someone who promises transparency in all aspects of the office.
Additionally, there is a backlog of untried and unresolved cases of many years.