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December 24, 2009

Pryor man sentenced to 50 years

Susan Wagoner

A Pryor man charged last year with child sexual abuse has been found guilty and sentenced to 50 years for his crime.

Michael Shawn Bell, 34, was also sentenced to 10 years for feloniously pointing a firearm. The sentences are to run consecutively.

Bell was arrested last year after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused a then 16 year-old girl over a two-year period. He also pointed a .9mm pistol at her head twice.

Bell originally requested a jury trial. He was represented by defense attorney Brant E. Shallenburger.

After more than a year of hearings, sounding dockets and delays, Bell opted for a non-jury trial. His case was heard before the Honorable Judge Terry H. McBride on Nov. 24. He was found guilty of the crime.

On Nov. 30, Shallenburger filed an intent to appeal on behalf of Bell. Two “propositions of error” were listed on the appeal. First is that the “Judge’s verdict finding the defendant guilty of child Sexual Abuse was not

|supported by the evidence presented” and “Trial Court’s sentencing was excessive given the evidence and

testimony.”

Shallenburger also requested to withdraw as counsel of record. Bell’s appeal will be handled by the Chief of the General Appeals Division of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Bell remains in the Mayes County Jail.

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