Harry F. Bell, Jr. |

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Harry F. Bell, Jr., has practiced law in West Virginia for 33 years, mostly in civil litigation. He is the managing partner of The Bell Law Firm, PLLC, located in Charleston, West Virginia. He has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the top 100 civil trial lawyers in West Virginia under the American Trial Lawyer Association. He has participated in close to 100 trials throughout his career and has spoken nationally at various seminars including: Mass Torts Made Perfect Seminars; the Combined South Carolina Judiciary and South Carolina Bar Annual Meeting; and the West Virginia State Bar Association, to name a few. He also presented the topic, “MDL Exit Strategies” before the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 10th Annual Class Action/Mass Tort Symposium.

Together with his partners, Andrew L. Paternostro and Sprague W. Hazard, The Bell Law Firm has the largest nursing home litigation practice in West Virginia, as well as a very strong presence in medical malpractice cases. Harry enjoys a sterling reputation as a “go-to” litigator in West Virginia for many national firms seeking local counsel.

Harry and his firm have been involved in numerous successful class actions. He served as… Read More

Harry and his firm have been involved in numerous successful class actions. He served as Liaison and Co-lead Counsel in the Digitek MDL In Re: Digitek Products Liability Litigation MDL 1968 (2:08-md-01968). He served on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee of the Comcast Anti-Trust litigation In Re: Comcast Corp, Set-Top Cable Television Box Antitrust Litigation MDL No. 2034 (09-md-02034-AB).

Currently, Harry is serving on Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) and is Plaintiffs’ Co-liaison Counsel in the In Re: American Medical Systems, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation MDL 2325 (2:12-md-02325), In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation MDL 2326 (2:12-md-02326), In Re: C. R. Bard Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation MDL 2187 (2:10-md-02187, In Re: Ethicon Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation MDL 2327 (2:12-md-02327), and In Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Products Liability Litigation MDL 2387 (2:12-md-02387).

Harry also serves in various capacities as special master and mediator appointed by state and federal courts in West Virginia.

Harry F. Bell, Jr. is a proud native of Charleston, West Virginia and is a graduate of West Virginia University College of Business with a B.S. degree in Economics cum laude 1977, followed by his J. D. degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1980.

While in law school, Harry worked as a law clerk for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Upon graduation he returned to Charleston to begin his trial experience as an Assistant Deputy Prosecutor in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Later, he joined the firm of Kay, Casto & Chaney where he subsequently became a partner while learning litigation under his mentor, the late John S. Haight, Esquire. He defended numerous product liability and complex civil litigation matters for over a decade.

Beginning in 1993, he established the firm now known as The Bell Law Firm, PLLC which is recognized as one of West Virginia’s leading complex litigation firms representing individuals and businesses in complex and serious litigation, including class actions, MDL’s, mass torts in pharmaceutical, commercial, consumer, product liability, as well as corporate business disputes. Together with his law partners, Andrew L. Paternostro and Sprague Hazard, Harry has an extensive and highly regarded litigation practice in West Virginia.

Harry and his entire firm take great pride in their ability to work with diverse groups of attorneys and firms around the country in a cooperative, collegial and professional fashion.

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To the Honorable Court Comes now the Defendant, an American-born citizen, invoking the full protection of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and all applicable federal and state civil rights statutes. The Defendant respectfully moves this Court for immediate dismissal of all charges, full restitution, and the initiation of a federal inquiry into the unlawful alteration of arrest records ~ acts that constitute a direct assault on constitutional law, civil rights, and the integrity of the American justice system. I. Statement of Facts The Defendant’s arrest records were unlawfully altered, amended, or falsified on multiple occasions. Up to nine (9) separate instances ~ without judicial authorization, due process, or the Defendant’s knowledge or consent. These alterations occurred within official courthouse systems, representing a deliberate and systemic act of tampering with public records, a felony under both federal and state law. This misconduct deprived the Defendant of liberty, reputation, and due process, violating the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Neither the Defendant nor counsel was ever permitted to appear before a judge. The entire judicial process was subverted, replaced by falsified documentation and administrative deceit. These actions were not clerical errors. They were calculated violations . A coordinated effort to manipulate the record, obstruct justice, and conceal misconduct. The Defendant asserts that this pattern of falsification constitutes a constitutional crisis, undermining the rule of law and eroding public trust in the judiciary. II. Constitutional and Statutory Violations A. Fourth Amendment The unlawful alteration of arrest records constitutes an unreasonable seizure of identity and liberty. By fabricating or distorting the factual basis of prior proceedings, state actors effectively seized the Defendant’s legal identity and replaced it with a false narrative, violating the right to be secure in person and record. B. Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments (Due Process and Equal Protection) The Defendant was denied procedural due process when records were altered without notice, hearing, or opportunity to contest. Equal protection was violated through selective and discriminatory treatment. These acts deprived the Defendant of the fundamental fairness guaranteed by the Constitution and created a two-tiered system of justice . One for the protected, and one for the silenced. C. Sixth Amendment The Defendant’s right to a fair trial and accurate recordkeeping was destroyed. Altered records directly affect defense strategy, credibility, and sentencing considerations. The falsification of judicial documents renders any subsequent proceedings constitutionally void. D. Civil Rights Statutes Under 42 U.S.C. §1983, any person acting under color of law who deprives another of constitutional rights is liable for damages. The Defendant reserves the right to pursue civil action against all responsible parties, including law enforcement agencies, clerks, prosecutors, and any third parties complicit in the falsification of records. Each alteration constitutes a separate and actionable violation of civil rights. III. Legal Argument for Dismissal and Restitution Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine Any evidence derived from falsified or altered records is inadmissible. The foundation of the prosecution’s case is therefore tainted and must be dismissed in its entirety. The doctrine mandates exclusion of all evidence obtained through unlawful means, ensuring that justice is not built upon corruption. Violation of Brady v. Maryland (373 U.S. 83, 1963) The suppression or alteration of exculpatory evidence constitutes prosecutorial misconduct and mandates dismissal. By concealing or distorting material facts, the prosecution deprived the Defendant of a fair opportunity to present a complete defense. Judicial Integrity and Public Trust The Court has an inherent duty to preserve the integrity of its records. Allowing prosecution to proceed on falsified documentation undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in the justice system. The judiciary must act decisively to correct and condemn such violations to maintain its legitimacy and moral authority. IV. Damages and Valuation of Harm The Defendant seeks restitution and damages commensurate with the magnitude of the constitutional violations and the systemic corruption exposed. The following categories of harm justify a valuation exceeding $2.5 billion USD, reflecting both compensatory and punitive damages: Loss of Liberty and Due Process ~ The unlawful deprivation of freedom and denial of judicial access. Reputational and Emotional Harm ~ Two decades of stigma, psychological trauma, and social isolation. Economic and Opportunity Loss ~ Destruction of career, income potential, and professional standing. Punitive Damages ~ To punish and deter future misconduct by state actors and institutions. Institutional Accountability ~ Damages for systemic corruption, falsification of public records, and erosion of public trust. Public Interest Damages ~ Compensation for the broader societal harm caused by the corruption of judicial integrity. This case represents not merely a personal injury, but a national constitutional breach — a precedent that, if left unpunished, endangers every citizen’s right to due process and equal protection under the law. V. Relief Sought The Defendant respectfully requests: Immediate dismissal of all charges with prejudice. Expungement of all falsified or altered records. Independent forensic audit of all arrest and court records associated with the Defendant. Referral to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for investigation into systemic misconduct. Award of compensatory and punitive damages totaling $2.5 billion USD, subject to adjustment upon discovery. Public acknowledgment of wrongdoing and formal correction of all judicial records. VI. Conclusion The Defendant stands as a sovereign American citizen whose rights were not merely violated but erased. The unlawful alteration of official records is not a clerical mistake. It is a constitutional crime. It is the theft of truth, the erasure of identity, and the corruption of the very system sworn to protect it. Justice demands not only dismissal but restitution, reform, and accountability. The Constitution cannot defend itself; it relies on citizens and courts of conscience to do so. This motion is not a plea for mercy . It is a demand for justice, truth, and the restoration of the rule of law. Respectfully submitted, Sign: ~ {Jeremy H. Hars} ~

Harry F. Bell, Jr.

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