Null gets 75-year sentence in Kevin Bell murder

Denem Null, the 18-year-old who shot and killed Kevin Bell, 26, last year over a drug deal that didn't involve the victim could spend up to 75 years in prison for his violent actions that night.

Sherri Batts, Kevin's step-sister, said in a victim's impact statement that her brother, who had abused drugs in the past, had made a decision to turn his life around, but that decision was taken away from him Jan. 11, 2010.

"Decisions always affect more than just one life," Batts said. "There are consequences for our actions."

Bobbie Bell, Kevin's sister, said as she started to cry that she wished she had one more day with Kevin. "I don't understand how someone can take another's life."

Null, of Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 50 years for second-degree murder and 25 years for first-degree robbery. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively. Both charges are mandatory, and Null will have to serve 70 percent of each before being eligible for parole.

Family and friends of Bell and Null were both in the courtroom to support them. Bell's family and friends seemed relieved when Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill announced his decision to run the sentences consecutively. Some of Null's family and friends cried but remained quiet.

Null declined to say anything when asked before being sentenced. He only spoke when he told his family members he loved them as he was led out after sentencing.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns argued for consecutively sentences, saying Null was the first person who entered the apartment and shot Bell twice in the head. He and co-defendants Johven Lee, 21, and Gabriel Taylor, 18, had planned to commit a burglary when a drug deal with Bell's roommate went bad, Burns said.

"It was malicious and it was intent," Burns said.

Burns said Bell wasn't involved in the drug deal.

"Any crime that deserves consecutive sentences, it's this one," Burns said.

Michael Adams, Null's attorney, asked the court to consider Null was only 16 when he made this "bad decision." Null wasn't involved in the drug deal; rather, his co-defendants involved him, Adams said.

"Null didn't go to the apartment to hurt anyone," Adams said. "He didn't have the foresight or maturity to ask 'What if?' This wasn't a vindictive act, it revolves from mistakes and he couldn't see past the length of his arm."

Taylor and Lee pleaded guilty and were sentenced last Friday to 25 years each for first-degree robbery.

Restitution was also ordered in the case, though the final amount won't be known for another 30 days.