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Bell pleads guilty to probation violation in Warren court
Warren activist says no-contact order was violated
Macomb Daily
May 16, 2022
Warren activist Jerry Bell pled guilty Thursday in 37th District Court to violating a no-contact order put in place by Judge Michael Chupa last November as a term of his probation.
Chupa said at Bell’s Nov. 12 hearing a no-contact order with his ex-fiancee Michelle Nard was to remain in place until Bell had completed 12 classes for battery intervention. Chupa also assigned Bell reporting probation for five years.
Bell testified on Thursday in front of Chupa that Nard actually picked him up from the Macomb County Jail on the day of his release in November and that he had subsequent interactions with her even though he had not completed the required classes and the no-contact order was still in place.
Chupa dismissed Bell’s probation requirements and sentenced him to 180 days in jail with credit for 163 days served.
In November, Bell pled guilty to misdemeanor stalking and domestic violence after Nard agreed to drop six felony charges against him. Bell is currently being held in the Macomb County Jail on $500,000 cash surety bond on charges of felony carjacking, extortion, unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, felonious assault, aggravated stalking and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense. Those charges were brought against Bell by police after a complaint was filed by Nard in January.
Bell admitted to violating the no-contact order, but said Nard also played a part in maintaining contact after Nov. 12.
“I think Michelle played a major role in that from the beginning in terms of getting me out of jail and making it known that she did that,” said Bell. “I understand the seriousness of the charges and the importance of not having any contact with her. I also understand that the no-contact order is in place not just to benefit the victim but the accused as well.”
Bell seemed to indicate he hoped after having the six felony charges dismissed in November, that he and Nard would be able to resume their former relationship.
“I was led by my heart to believe she was going to do the right thing and make things right,” said Bell. “I understood too late the importance of completing those classes and not having any contact with her. A lot of this was forced upon me by her, but I apologize to the court for my part in this.”
Chupa said he kept the no-contact order in place, even after Nard dropped several of the charges against Bell, because he was trying to help all parties involved.
“I put the no-contact provision in place not only for her benefit but quite candidly for yours,” said Chupa. “I tried to give you a shield and give you both some time for reflection. Had you followed my instructions, you probably would not have found yourself in this position facing new criminal charges.”
Criminal defense attorney Craig Tank, who is representing Bell, expressed frustration that seven Macomb County Circuit Court judges have recused themselves from his client’s pending case.
“We can’t even get a judge to get the bond reduced,” said Tank, who indicated that judges have recused themselves because of Nard’s role as a Macomb County Commissioner. “It says a lot about the dysfunction of Macomb County because we have an elected commissioner that is quite literally under psychiatric care because she sees and hears things that don’t happen and who is also responsible in some way for the funding of the circuit court. Because the people of the City of Warren have elected an insane person it has prevented the Macomb County Circuit Court from ruling.”
Tank said he expects to have a judge from another county appointed to the case. He also hinted that he plans to introduce evidence in Bell’s upcoming trial showing that Nard is not a reliable witness.
“The complaining witness is a person that quite literally has very severe psychiatric problems and sees and hears things that don’t happen,” said Tank. “This person is delusional, is under psychiatric care and receives medication so she does not have paranoid delusions.”
How to File a Request for an Investigation
Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
Anyone may file a Request for Investigation against an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan, or otherwise permitted by a court to practice in the state, by completing and signing the AGC’s Request for Investigation form or by sending in a signed letter.
The form or letter must be signed and sufficiently describe the alleged misconduct (including approximate time and place). The Request for Investigation may include copies of any relevant documents. Requests for Investigation are not accepted electronically or by facsimile at this time.
A copy of the Request for Investigation form can be requested by calling the AGC at 313-961-6585, or can be downloaded below. Requests for Investigation and any accompanying documents can be sent to:
Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
755 W. Big Beaver Rd. - Suite 2100
Troy MI 48084
Please do not bind or staple your documents in order to facilitate scanning.
The Grievance Administrator may also institute an investigation on his own based upon knowledge gained from other ways, such as news articles, court opinions, or information received in the course of a disciplinary investigation.
Attorney Craig Tanks' previous law suspension:
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