An 18- and 21-year-old plead guilty to robbery in Kevin Bell murder

CEDAR RAPIDS – Two defendants accused of killing Kevin Bell last year pleaded guilty Tuesday to a new amended robbery charge and will testify against their other co-defendant who goes to trial Monday in Linn County District Court.

Gabriel Taylor, 18, and Johven Lee, 21, both of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery. Both admitted as part of a plea agreement that they went with Denem Null, 18, to the apartment of Kevin Bell last Jan. 11 with the intent to commit a theft.

Taylor said he knew Null had a firearm and the gun was used to assist in the theft and their escape. Lee only said “someone else” had the gun that was used to kill Bell.

Bell was shot in the head during what police called a botched robbery by Null, Taylor and Lee, according to a police report. Bell was shot by one of the intruders and died the next day.

According to a criminal complaint, Null is accused of firing the shot that killed Bell.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns said during the hearing the plea agreement was contingent upon their guilty pleas and their “truthful” testimony at Null's trial. The state will dismiss the murder charges against them at the time of sentencing.

Burns declined further comment about the pleadings after the hearing because of the upcoming trial.

Taylor and Lee each face a mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison and 70 percent must be served before they are eligible for parole.

A sentencing date wasn't set at this time.

Jury selection for the murder trial of Null will start 9 a.m. Monday with jury selection. Attorneys estimated the trial will last a week.