Bell being released last month. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

JENA, La. A teenager at the center of a civil rights controversy is back in jail after a judge revoked his probation and sentenced him on charges that were pending before the attack that put him in the national spotlight, his attorney said Thursday.

Mychal Bell, who along with five other black teenagers had been accused of beating a white classmate, went to juvenile court Thursday expecting another routine hearing, said Carol Powell Lexing, one of Bell’s attorneys.

Instead, after a six-hour hearing, state District Judge J.P. Mauffrey Jr. sentenced him to 18 months on two counts of simple battery and two counts of criminal destruction of property, Lexing said.

He had been on probation for those charges during the Dec. 4 attack on classmate Justin Barker. [SOURCE]

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Mychal Bell released (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Good news on the Jena 6 case. 17 year-old Mychal Bell has been released on bail. His bail was set at $45,000. The LaSalle Parish District Attorney said his decision not to appeal was not influenced by the recent march.

“We still have mountains to climb, but at least this is closer to an even playing field,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize last week’s protest.

“He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him,” Sharpton said.

District Attorney Reed Walters’ decision to abandon adult charges means that Bell, who had faced a maximum of 15 years in prison on his aggravated second-degree battery conviction last month, instead could be held only until he turns 21 if he is found guilty in juvenile court.

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In related news, Dr. Phil is dedicated his show to the whole Jena 6 incident tomorrow (September 28th). Visit his website and click on Friday for more info.

Bell in football photo (CNN)

Sorry for the delay on this update!!! Here is the newest info about the Jena 6.

After thousands rallied yesterday in Jena, Louisiana in the defense of the Jena 6, many hoped that the hearing for Mychal Bell today would result in him being released on bail. But that was not the case.

Mychal Bell, the sole defendant who remains behind bars from the group of teens known as the “Jena 6,” will not be released Friday, a court decided.

Bell, 17, has been in jail since his arrest more than nine months ago.

It was not immediately clear what happened in court Friday, where Bell’s attorneys had planned to push for his release.

“It is our understanding that the judge refused to give bond or bail to Mychal Bell today,” the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist who traveled to Jena for Thursday’s rally, said in a written statement. [ READ MORE ]

Don’t let this dishearten you. Did you see all the support the Jena 6 received yesterday? This is not over.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN A PETITION!!!

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