Press Release from Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Walter William Bell, 42, was convicted of one count of Aggravated Battery and one count of Sexual Battery. The charges stemmed from an incident on May 13, 2024, when Bell used his finger(s) to forcibly penetrate the vagina of the victim as she slept. The victim – Bell’s female roommate who slept in a different room within the residence – had gone to sleep after taking some NyQuil Bell had given her. However, the victim woke up in the middle of the night to find Bell in her bed penetrating her vagina with his fingers. The victim kicked Bell with her feet and demanded that he leave her bedroom. Bell responded by asking, “Don’t you want to cuddle?” and only left the bedroom after being told to leave several more times. Aggravated Battery is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sexual Battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail. Bell’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance, disturbing the peace, and multiple DUI’s. Bell was sentenced on September 25, 2024.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 6 years for Aggravated Battery and credit for time served for Sexual Battery.
District Judge John Mitchell sentenced Bell to a 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 6 years, but retained jurisdiction over Bell. Idaho Code allows a Court to retain jurisdiction over a defendant for up to 1 year — often referred to as a rider. On a rider, a defendant will receive treatment while in the custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC).
However, within a year of being sentenced, the defendant will return to Court for a review hearing where a judge will decide to either grant the defendant probation or leave the defendant in DOC custody for the remainder of their sentence. It is extremely common for defendants to return to Court for their review hearings well within a year of being sentenced. Therefore, in just a few short months, Davis will return to court and Judge Mitchell will have the discretion to place Bell on probation. Bell was given credit for time served for the Sexual Battery charge.
Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Criminal Chief Deputy Prosecutor Laura McClinton for prosecuting the case and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating the case.
