Mychal Bell, one of the so-called Jena Six, walked free late Thursday afternoon.

Section: Community

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JENA, La. -- A black teenager once charged with the attempted murder of a white classmate has been released on bail.

Mychal Bell, one of the so-called Jena Six, walked free late Thursday afternoon.

He and four others originally faced trial as adults on attempted second-degree murder charges in connection with a December attack that left white classmate Justin Barker bloodied and unconscious. Another teen was booked as a juvenile and charges have not been make public.

As the teens have come up for arraignment, charges have been reduced, but critics of the local prosecutor are still crying foul.

Bell, the only one of the six tried so far, was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery and faced a possible prison sentence of 15 years. However, a state appeals court threw out his conviction, saying he should not have been tried as an adult.

The prosecutor in the case confirmed Thursday that he would not appeal that decision, meaning Bell will face charges in juvenile court.

Tens of thousands of people rallied in the small Louisiana town late last week, saying that blacks and whites were treated differently in the criminal justice system.

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