Judge won’t sever three defendants in murder of Kevin Bell

The two teens and a 20-year-old accused of killing Kevin Bell last year will be tried together, according to a judge's ruling Friday.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill denied a motion to sever defendants - Denem Null, 17, Gabriel Taylor, 17, and Johven Lee, 20, all of Cedar Rapids, who are charged with first-degree murder. The trial set for April 4 in Linn County District Court will go ahead as scheduled, Thornhill stated in his ruling.

The defendants filed motions to sever based upon incriminating statements, right to fair trial and conflicting defenses, but Thornhill said those issues could be remedied by limiting witness testimony and redacting written statements, along with limiting jury instructions.

At a previous hearing, Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns told the court he found out about an alleged “jailhouse confession” Null made to another inmate and informed the other attorneys. Burns said after the hearing he couldn't elaborate on the confession.

Bell, 26, was shot in the head when Null, Taylor and Lee broke into his apartment at 113 First Ave. SW on Jan. 11, according to a police report. Bell was shot by one of the intruders during what police called a botched robbery attempt. Bell died the next day.

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