David Bowie Donates to Legal Fund for Jena Six

David Bowie recently donated $10,000 to a legal fund for a group of teenagers known as the Jena 6.  Bowie stated via email to the AP, “There is clearly a separate and unequal judicial process going on in the town of Jena.  A donation to the Jena Six Legal Defense Fund is my small gesture indicating my belief that a wrongful charge and sentence should be prevented.”

The case involves six black teenagers charged with allegedly attacking a white classmate.  One of the teens, Mychal Bell, was tried as an adult by an all-white jury.  Bell’s case was overturned by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal with the comment that he should not have been tried as an adult.

On a personal note, I am heartened to see that Bowie feels so strongly about this case.  As a former case worker in the juvenile justice system in my homestate, I have seen too many teens get railroaded by the court system.  I hope the Jena 6 get the justice and fair trial that is afforded to them in the constitution, and nothing less.