Read on Twitter
Reminder that Angela Garcia is still sitting in jail because of Rick Bell.
He's running for Judge in Cuyahoga County.
He's running for Judge in Cuyahoga County.
Angela Garcia's two children, ages 2 and 3, were killed in a house fire in 1999. The inspector ruled that the fire was accidental.
Ms. Garcia was just 24 and had purchased her first renter's insurance policy a few months prior.
Ms. Garcia was just 24 and had purchased her first renter's insurance policy a few months prior.
When she filled out the paperwork incorrectly to be reimbursed for her destroyed stove and some household goods, prosecutors immediately accused her of insurance fraud. Neighbors came forward and said she was "too happy" for someone who just lost two children.
She was charged with arson, aggravated murder, and murder. Her first two trials were mistrials. The third trial featured a spunky new prosecutorial duo: Rick Bell and Aaron Phillips.
They were absolutely brutal to Ms. Garica and brought in more than 50 witnesses.
They were absolutely brutal to Ms. Garica and brought in more than 50 witnesses.
Their case hinged on the "splash pattern" of accelerant used to light the fire, supposedly. The thing is, Bell had just been to a conference for prosecutors that explained why that method was wrong!
He presented it anyway. Along with allegations that she did it for the money.
He presented it anyway. Along with allegations that she did it for the money.
She was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to just under 50 years in prison.
In 2015, the Ohio Public Defender's office took Garcia's case and argued for a new trial. The morning it was scheduled to go before a Judge, Bell paid Garcia a visit.
In 2015, the Ohio Public Defender's office took Garcia's case and argued for a new trial. The morning it was scheduled to go before a Judge, Bell paid Garcia a visit.
He offered her an amazing deal: if she admitted to setting the fire and killing her children, he would reduce her sentence to 22 years, leaving her just 5 years to go. She desperately wanted to get out and see her mother so she said yes.
No new trial. Back to prison she went.
No new trial. Back to prison she went.
Why did Bell do this?
Because he knew the new trial would uncover what he did to convict her. He wanted to protect his record at all costs.
Aaron Phillips had already been busted by the FBI at that point, so Bell was on his own. And he was scared.
Because he knew the new trial would uncover what he did to convict her. He wanted to protect his record at all costs.
Aaron Phillips had already been busted by the FBI at that point, so Bell was on his own. And he was scared.
Last-minute plea bargains like this are manipulative and horrible. The judge in this case, now Ohio Supreme Court Justice Donnelly, is working to end them.
But Ms. Garcia is still sitting in prison.
But Ms. Garcia is still sitting in prison.
. @LilianaSegura reported this out in depth a few years ago. You definitely want to take the time to read this. https://theintercept.com/2017/03/05/did-angela-garcia-kill-her-own-daughters-arson-cover-up/
Last month, @LilianaSegura published an update after Rick Bell was endorsed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He's running for judge, despite his checkered past with cases like this one. https://theintercept.com/2020/03/15/richard-bell-arson-junk-science-angela-garcia/?comments=1
