Career criminal, 21, gets long sentence for murder
A man awaiting trial for multiple assaults gets 25- to 50-year prison term for 2011 murder.
AS A CITY prosecutor yesterday told a judge of the multiple disciplinary infractions racked up by Montana Bell in jail since 2011, the defendant looked up and smiled.
Bell, 21, had tried to bribe a guard, made crude sexual comments to female guards, threatened a social worker, failed to follow orders and assaulted other inmates, Assistant District Attorney Mark Levenberg told Common Pleas Judge Lillian Ransom.
Still, none of that is why Bell was in court. The convicted drug dealer, formerly of Adams Avenue near Orthodox Street, was being sentenced for murdering a woman on July 11, 2011, during a dispute over pills and money.
Ransom sentenced Bell to 25 to 50 years in prison. A jury convicted him in June of third-degree murder and two weapons offenses for shooting Kimberly Davis, 45, twice in the head on Patton Street near Allegheny Avenue.
Bell, wearing red-tinted shades and a hand tattoo that read, "F U Pay Me," appeared to take the proceedings in stride.
"I apologize to all of y'all," he said, turning in his seat to face Davis' family. Then, in a casual tone to Ransom, he said, "I'm ready to be sentenced."
Levenberg cited Bell's misconduct in jail and prior convictions as a juvenile and adult as reasons he deserved the maximum sentence - which he got.
The prosecutor also noted Bell is awaiting trial on multiple counts of attempted murder and related charges for allegedly shooting nine people outside a Feltonville nightclub in May 2011; and two counts of aggravated assault and related charges for allegedly injuring two Philadelphia police officers during a high-speed chase in a stolen car on July 13, 2011, in Hunting Park.
"What we have here is someone who presents a clear danger to everyone around him, and anyone who comes in contact with him," he told Ransom. "He appears to be someone incapable of rehabilitation."
Defense attorney Jay Gottlieb, who asked for a shorter sentence due to Bell's age, said, "Your honor, there is very little one can argue in this matter."