I would also like to share with you a victory for our office and our community. Today two brothers, Hakeem and Kindu Bell, were sentenced to a combined 582 years in prison for home invasion and sexual assault. These men were a serious threat to our community.

Hakeem Bell was sentenced to 161 years in prison for his role in a March 2012 home invasion.   His brother Kindu was sentenced to 181 years for his role in the same incident and was also sentenced to 240 years for a second home invasion in Bowie, in March 2012.

Kindu Bell invaded the home of a Bowie family, tied up the adult children, beat them over their heads with guns while a six-year-old child was forced to watch. This child and their family have not been able to sleep through the night since this horrible crime happened almost two years ago.

Criminals like Kindu Bell who commit violent crimes in front of children rob them of their innocence and expose them to situations that will follow them for life. This is exactly why I am lobbying for a bill in the Maryland General Assembly that would make it a crime to commit an act of violence in the presence of a minor. If the bill is passed, if someone is convicted of a violent crime, five years would be added onto whatever sentence they receive.

With the legislative session just getting underway we do not have a bill number yet, but I will keep you posted on our progress. Once we get a bill number, I will pass it along in case you would like to help.

I would again like to thank you all for your continued support and interest in the community. If you would like to receive regular updates about trials and business in the Office of the State’s Attorney, you can follow us on Twitter @PGStAtty.

Sincerely,

Angela D. Alsobrooks

State’s Attorney