Bell given two life sentences for killing couple

Editor's Note: The story below has been clarified to reflect who read the victim's impact statement for Misty Cole.

Kenneth Bell will live out the rest of his days in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Judge Benjamin Lewis on Monday overruled Bell's motion for a new trial and sentenced him to two life terms -- one for each of Bell's first-degree murder convictions -- without the possibility of probation or parole, plus an additional 30 years on one count of armed criminal action.

Bell's public defender, Cynthia Dryden, had requested the sentences run concurrently.

In Missouri, first-degree murder is a class A felony, the punishment for which is either death or life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole.

Bell was convicted in January of gunning down Misty Cole and Shannon James in February 2013 at their apartment. Last month, Bell's public defenders had filed the motion for a new trial, citing 29 instances in which they said the court erred, including allowing the jury to view graphic crime-scene and autopsy photos and denying a defense motion to suppress statements Bell made to police after waiving his Miranda rights.

Before the sentences were pronounced, one member of each victim's family was given the opportunity to make a statement.

Veronica Abraham, James' neice, spoke of the effects of losing a member of their small family. "I truly hate this happened to my uncle."

Terry Mazzuca, a relative of Cole, who read a statement on behalf of herself and Cole's father, Harold Pettit, called Cole's death "a reality no parent should have to face."

"I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. ... It's so hard to be on this Earth without her with me."

However, she said she wished for Bell to receive a life sentence rather than death.

"I don't want Kenneth's mother to have to feel the same pain I felt since losing Misty."

Several family members present in court were visibly upset; Bell seemed composed. He offered no final statement to the court, but as he was being led from the courtroom, he turned toward supporters seated behind him and smiled.

"Kiss my kids for me. Tell them I love them."

Bell has 10 days to appeal his sentence.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

One Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755