SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A man acquitted of kidnapping is now planning to sue the family members he says brutally beat him.
Today D.J. Bell and his attorneys say they plan to file a civil lawsuit against member of the Latu family.
Bell says he was attacked after two children came to his house and asked for something to drink. Bell says that's when the mother came over and started hitting him. He says other family members showed up a few minute later and continued to beat bell and his partner Dan Fair.
D.J. Bell said, “As long as the people who attacked me are still free I’m not free.”
Bell’s attorney said, “We’re certainly not precluding the possibility of other entities being sued as part of this besides the individuals who perpetrated the crime.”
Bell also says he's upset with the way the South Salt Lake Police Department handled the case. His attorney’s say they didn’t collect evidence or even go into Bell’s house where the beatings happened.
Bell says he was beaten because he was gay.
Later on Monday, South Salt Lake Police spokeman Gary Keller released the following statement regarding Bell's press conference:
In regards to the recent D.J. Bell Press Conference that was held today, Monday, October 05, 2009;
D.J. Bell has been acquitted by a jury on the kidnapping charges. Those charges were the result of an investigation by the South Salt Lake Police Department. The charges met all the elements required under Utah Law 76-5-301.1 / Child Kidnapping. The case was reviewed by the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office and Mr. Bell was formally bound over for trial and was acquitted on all charges.
Due to another ongoing investigation by the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office, I cannot discuss the case any further.
As to any law suits naming South Salt Lake Police Department, we have not received any documentation.
Gary Keller
