Peace, in the last case, Bell was convicted by a jury- it was not judge alone. To those who want to make a racial case out of it, the people of Jena, not just the legal system (it would have to have convicted him regardlss of make-up considering the history of the accused) must be blamed.

The jury was all white, therefore it was 100% bigoted and tromping on the poor black. His criminal record, however, - four previous adjudications- can not be ignored, and conviction should have resulted regardless of the jury make-up. With the decision that the case should have been handled in the juvenile courts, a new trial will be held unless the decision is reversed- which it can be if the crime is deemed serious enough.

The remaining five of those charged all posted bail (one had $138,000 as the sum). That, of course, is is not what has to be raised; in most jurisdictions 5-10% of the fee is sufficient for a bondsman to handle the case. Anyone can post it except those with criminal convictions.
Why didn't the civil rights folks who make so much noise post it for Bell? Did they push him into refusing to post bail in order to push their agendas?

The others have not faced court yet, but unless they have prior convictions for crimes, if convicted they may get off with light sentences and remission of criminal record after a period.

Why did Bell not post bail when he had the opportunity? It looks like he wanted to get a brouhaha started- he did.