South Side rapist gets 78 years

Saying the court needed to punish the offender and protect the public, Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge R. Scott Krichbaum sentenced convicted rapist Michael Bell to 78 years in prison Tuesday.

Bell, 21, was convicted by a jury last week on three counts of rape, three counts of kidnapping, aggravated burglary and attempted rape. He was found guilty of attacking four women on the city's South Side in September and October, 2005.

Judge Krichbaum said he would give Bell more time in prison, if he could.

The 78 years is the maximum sentence under law.

Judge Krichbaum also made a determination that Bell is a sexual predator which means, should he ever get out of prison, he will have to register with local authorities wherever he lives every 90 days for the rest of his life.

Evidence presented at trial showed Bell was "overwhemingly guilty," Judge Krichbaum said.

Bell was given credit for the 391 days he's spent in jail awaiting trial and sentencing. Judge Krichbaum said he wouldn't give Bell any credit for time already served if the law didn't require it.