I’m in prison for a crime. Not because I did it, no… but because I exercised my constitutional rights and took them to trial!
It’s 28 years later and here I am, still fighting for my life at the end of justice? I was charged with armed robbery, carjacking, aiding and abetting and conspiracy. I was age 23 when the offense was committed. I began service of my sentence of imprisonment on 5/23/1997, however, my projected release date from confinement is on 6/13/2079.
I received a total of 94 years with two main components::
- Nine years for the carjacking and the conspiracy to commit them.
- A consecutive 85 years for the “stacked 924(c)” firearm charges – a law that is not even on the books anymore.
With respect for the court, I moved for them to vacate and reduce my sentence as mandated by the Johnson v. U.S. 125 S. Ct. 2251 (2015). However, I am in federal prison currently serving a sentence that was enhanced by the application of 18 U.S.C. 924(c)’s mandatory sentence structure imposed when a defendant who “possessed a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence”, a definition that is identical to Johnson’s career criminal act. So wherefore my charge could only be considered a “crime of violence” under the now-unconstitutional Residual Clause contained in that definition.
My plans are to start out by giving back to my community – going to the churches, schools, and throughout my neighborhood and speaking to the youth. I would like to also give a few public speakings in my town Nashville Tennessee which has really grown since I was last out there. There’s lots of job opportunities to choose from, and I would love to share my experience with them from the inside to back out, I refuse to let prison define who I am. In addition, I’ve studied Business since I’ve been here, so that I can try and get my own going once I am released. The class I took was called “Entrepreneur Toolkit”: I finished it and was proud of myself, the speaker’s name was Dr. Michael Goldsby out of Ball State University. a good class and learning tool for me.
Finally, if I may add, my father passed away trying to hold on to see me come home. He died of prostate cancer in the fourth degree. My mother is still alive: she’s 78 years of age trying to hold on. My two big sisters and big brothers are getting older and as I said earlier, I’ve just turned 54 years old this past Feb 3, 2023.
I came to prison at a young age and now I’m older, mature and much wiser, all that I’m asking is a Second Chance at life so that I can show the world who I am and what I’ve become.
In closing, it’s really been hard to try and stay positive in a negative environment. Therefore, I’ve used my time wisely, telling myself that I will use my incarceration as a stepping stone so that when I return to society I can achieve higher accomplishments.
Before I forget, yes I am a writer! I write books for children and adults. To name a few, here are: 1. Alphabet Soup for Kids 2. Shucky Ducky! 3. Curious Willie, and 4. The Green Heroine! She’s a young environmentalist who wants to keep the world safe and green. But stay tuned there’s more to come, I’m just now finishing up on my latest creation called “Finest Hour”, “Darkest Hour”, “Hour past”, & Book #4: “Final Hour!”
Well as my old friend in showbiz Kermit the Frog would say: “Time sure flies by when you’re having flies!”
I’m Wayne Bell, thank you for listening, God Bless
Wayne Bell with his brother and father
Wayne Bell and his sister
Wayne Bell
Wayne Bell