Day Four: Next Witness--James Bell

Witness James Bell, like many before him in this case, wears a blaze-orange prison jumpsuit. Bell is 32 years old, in jail on federal conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine charges. He is serving 14 and a half years in prison. He has not been promised anything in exchange for his testimony. He is awaiting his sentencing. He entered Oneida County Jail in May of last year. He came to know "Flaco" while at OCJ. Bell was in a special unit for disciplinary cases at the jail in June when he came into contact with "Flaco", who was already there.

Bell had an argument with "Flaco". Bell's brother is a police officer at UPD and he was talking to another inmate about him when "Flaco" said "(expletive) all police". Bell was saying he was proud of his brother. "Flaco" was ranting and raving about how he hated police and had killed police in Puerto Rico. The two argued for an hour. Bell told "Flaco" what he'd do to him if he caught him outside his cell. A correction officer had to put an end to the argument. After that, Bell and "Flaco" stayed away from each other.

Late November, Bell went back to the special unit. There, he saw "Flaco" again. Bell cleaned during the day. Bell provoked "Flaco", calling him names. "Flaco" began raving about how he's murdered before and would do it again. Claims "Flaco" had a trick where he'd pretend he was being asked for his license and he'd say, 'here's my license, 'bam bam bam!' as though he was pulling a gun. Bell says "Flaco" told another prisoner he'd killed the cop. Bell identifies defendant Wesley Molina Cirino as "Flaco".

Defense now questioning James Bell. Asks when Bell first contacted authorities to tell them he had information. He says he didn't; that someone else in the unit overheard the conversation and gave police his name. Police just came to see him March 8th.

Bell says his sentencing guidelines put him at 14 and a half years. He acknowledges that, at Federal Court, cooperation with authorities can make a difference. He will be sentenced in three and a half weeks. Defense asks if all these conversations he's talking about today that he had with "Flaco" were in English or Spanish. Bell says 'English--he speaks good English'. He says no one should be targeted because of the line of work they're in-they shouldn't be executed, no. Defense asks if he's not happy with anyone who shoots a police officer because his brother is a police officer. He says no. Testimony is finished. The judge reminds the jury to keep an open mind and not to discuss the case with anyone or visit any places related to the case. He also asks them not to listen to, read or view any media accounts of the trial. Court is in recess until Monday.