Courtroom Shenanigans: Accused Drug Dealer In Capital Region Tries Bribing Juror, Police Say

An accused drug dealer from the region is facing more charges after allegedly attempting to bribe a juror in his ongoing criminal trial.

Michael Bell, age 37, is accused of bribing a juror in his Montgomery County drug trial.
Photo Credit: *Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office/Google Maps street view*

Michael Mashburn

09/15/2023 4:00 p.m.

Schoharie County resident Michael Bell, age 37, was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 13, on a felony charge of bribing a juror, according to New York State Police.

Troopers said Bell, of the village of Schoharie, approached a juror in the town of Amsterdam in Montgomery County earlier in the day and offered them money in an attempt to influence their jury decision.

The juror refused his offer and was ultimately dismissed from the trial.

Bell’s trial, which began Monday, Sept. 11, stems from a September 2022 arrest for allegedly selling drugs in Montgomery County, WNYT reports.

Following his arrest on the bribery charge, he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Bell remains at the Montgomery County jail without bail awaiting sentencing on the drug convictions.

According to state records, he has prior felony convictions for attempted robbery and criminal sex act.

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