Man still pushing for charges against neighbors in beating

SALT LAKE CITY — A man acquitted of kidnapping two children is continuing to push the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office to press charges against neighbors who beat him and his partner.

David James "D.J." Bell, accompanied by some friends, delivered a petition Thursday to the DA's Office, urging swift action.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra Miller was at meetings, according to her office staff, and later offered no response to the petition. However, spokesman Mark Biljanic said there is an ongoing investigation into the actions of Bell's neighbors.

"The fact is clear that it is being looked at by the district attorney and South Salt Lake police very vigorously, but to tell you there's a conclusion at this point is premature," Biljanic said.

Bell had been charged with child kidnapping and burglary but was acquitted after a four-day jury trial in September 2009.

Miller and South Salt Lake prosecutors had previously declined to file charges in connection with the beatings. After the acquittal, however, a spokeswoman for Miller said prosecutors would look at the case and consider whether charges were warranted.

An ugly situation emerged on July 4, 2008, when Bell visited next-door neighbors who were having an outdoor party that went late into the night. Prosecutors said Bell sneaked into the neighbor's house and took the children to his own home, where they ended up in his bedroom.

Defense attorneys later said the charges that resulted against Bell were ridiculous, and South Salt Lake police had conducted a sloppy investigation.

Bell said two children, ages 2 and 4, had asked him for something to drink as they followed him to his house. He said he had given each a glass of a Kool-Aid as they stood in the doorway, and a female neighbor had then burst inside, become enraged the children were present, hit Bell repeatedly and made threats as she left.

Bell said people at the party had soon rushed over and severely battered him and his partner, Dan Fair.

Bell's defense team of Roger Kraft and Susanne Gustin said they avoided playing the "gay card" during the trial, although many of Bell's supporters insist that was the reason why Bell and Fair were beaten.

However, prosecutor Tupakk Renteria suggested to jurors that the defense might be playing a "Polynesian card" that depicted the neighbors as irresponsible drunks who neglected their children.

"DJ and Dan are anxious to have charges filed so they can receive justice," Kraft said Thursday. "We fully expect those charges to be filed soon."

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com