Walter Bell's Mother Speaks About Son's Death Sentence Commuted to Life
Reported by Courtney Zubowski
November 10, 2004 - 10:20PM

The longest serving death row inmate in Texas tonight has a chance at freedom.
Late this afternoon, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered 50 year-old Walter Bell removed from death row.
Bell was convicted of the 1974 slayings of Ferd and Irene Chisum.
In July, Judge Charles Carver ruled Bell is mentally retarded which means he can't be sentenced to die.
Courtney Zubowski talked with Walter Bell's mother tonight.
Walter Bell's mother learned of the court's decision around 5 p.m. today.
She said she's been shaking ever since.
Bessie Brown/Walter Bell's Mother:
"I said thank you God. Thank you God."
Bessie Brown's son has been waiting to die for 29 years.
Bessie Brown/Walter Bell's Mother:
"Unbelievable, but if it happens it's the truth because God works miracles."
He still doesn't know of the court's decision.
Bessie Brown/Walter Bell's Mother:
"I"ll go up there and explain it to him."
Brown plans to tell Walter Bell about it tomorrow when she visits him on death row.
Bessie Brown/Walter Bell's Mother:
"I just hope I don't pass out because it's been so many years, so many years."
Walter Bell was sentenced to death in 1974.
At the time he was convicted, a person sentenced to life in prison had to serve just 20 years to be eligible for parole.
Since Bell's death sentence has now been commuted to life, Bell could be set free.
Bessie Brown/Walter Bell's Mother:
"I really haven't thought about how it would be. I guess we just have to learn how to hold each other, hug each other."
For three decades, Bessie Brown has sat on her couch thinking about her son.
But it's possible Walter Bell could soon be sitting next to her.
State law doesn't make Bell's release mandatory.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles would have to approve the decision to free him.


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