Bell Charged For Towns Homicide Over A $3K Tax Refund

Doneal Bell and Mario D. Towns

Towns was chased and shot twice after two suspects attempted to steal his tax refund.

By H. Nelson Goodson

April 2, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, Doneal Bell, 21, was charged with felony murder for the March 1, attempted robbery of Mario D. Towns, 23, at the 1600 block of S. 3rd Street. If convicted, Bell is facing up to 55-years in prison. Bail for Bell was set at $500,000.

The criminal complaint states, that Bell and another suspect known as "Tone" invaded a home where Towns was at and attempted to steal about $3,640 from the victim, including marijuana that they believed was at the home. The two suspects had heard that Towns had just received his tax refund and had bought a large quantity of marijuana.

Towns managed to escape from the home, but was chased by Bell, according to witnesses. Bell then shot Towns in the back of the head as he exited the front door and fell outside on the sidewalk in front of the home, according to a witness. Police found 

Towns tax refund on his pants pocket.
Bell told police that Tone had shot Towns in the back of the head.

Towns had moved to Milwaukee and is survived by his girlfriend Jessica James and a child. Towns was an inspiring Hip Hop Rapper who was enrolled in college studing business. He studied at Bryant and Stratton College.
His profile indicates he was self employed and used the name "Trill" as his stage name. He managed to record 5 songs, Star, Why dey hatin, Real Nigga, L's and "Flexing" was his latest song, according to Reverbnation dot com.