VALDOSTA — Reports have emerged that the family of Brian Bell has become the target of action by U.S. Marshals through the U.S. Attorney’s office. This action is related to their connection in the investigation of the death of Kendrick Johnson.
Cell phones and computers belonging to the Bells were seized Tuesday by U.S. Marshals, according to published reports.
WCTV stated that this had been confirmed by the Bell family attorney, after an Instagram post by Brian Bell, was circulated on social media.
The lengthy post supposedly posted by Brian Bell, states that on Tuesday morning, around five a.m, he was awakened by five U.S. Marshals, in his college dorm, demanding his cell phone.
The post continues stating that Bell handed over the phone as instructed. He makes a commentary that he told authorities to “take all of my family’s members’ phones. We’ve had nothing to hide from the beginning. I can’t believe the measures they’ve gone to.”
The WCTV report states they contacted U.S. Attorney Michael Moore’s office, but, as has been their policy, they would not comment on the case.
Brice Ladson, the Bell family attorney, told WCTV in a statement:
“Yesterday at 3:30 am, the Bell family was awakened at their home by government agents, executing search warrants in a federal Grand Jury investigation about the death of Kendrick Johnson which is almost 2 years old – a case in which no one has been indicted and in which there is no evidence to implicate involvement of the Bells or any member of the Bell family.
The case is built solely on suspicion, innuendo and rumor, not evidence. The government agents executed sweeping searches of the Bells’ home, as well as the home of Taylor Eakin and her family. The government agents seized computers, cell phones and other property, including at least one work computer – an act which now threatens the ability of Karen Bell to carry out the duties of her job.
The computers and personal phones also contain correspondence with the Bell family lawyers, all of which is privileged under the law. The government now possesses the privileged communications of the Bells and their lawyers, including communications in their defamation suits against Ebony Magazine and its publisher and members of the Johnson family. In addition, the government now has the communications between the Bells and the lawyers representing them in a completely frivolous $100 Million lawsuit filed by the Johnson family.
The Bell and Eakin families will take every legal step available to protect their constitutional rights and their ability to work and pursue litigation necessary to restore their good names.”
