A 27-year-old Rabun County man is going to prison for life for assaulting, kidnapping, and raping a young girl.
A jury today convicted Eugene Bell in Rabun County Superior Court, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office. Bell’s trial began April 7. The jury consisted of nine women and three men. They handed down their verdict after two and a half days of testimony.
The jury convicted Bell for crimes committed against an underage girl in Rabun County September 9-10, 2017. Prosecutors will not release the victim’s name due to the nature of the offense and the law.
Mountain Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Russell Smith presided over the trial.
Prior convictions
Bell was convicted in 2009 for sexual battery against a child under 16, according to the release. Prosecutors presented that evidence in court. In 2015, he was convicted for failure to register as a sex offender.
Judge Smith sentenced Bell to 20 years for aggravated assault and life in prison for rape and kidnapping.
Because he’s a repeat offender he will not be eligible for parole, according to the D.A.’s office.
Investigation and trial
Mountain Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Anthony Pickett and District Attorney George Christian represented the State of Georgia.
A number of witnesses offered testimony during the trial including the victim, witnesses, law enforcement and medical personnel, and forensic experts.
Prosecutors presented evidence gathered by investigators from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland GBI office. Power House for Kids in Toccoa also helped conduct forensic interviews and collect medical forensic evidence.
Christian extends his thanks to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, the G.B.I., and Power House for Kids (FAITH) for their “hard work and dedication.”
