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SALT LAKE CITY -- Day three in the trial of the man accused of kidnapping his neighbors' children brought a twist. David James Bell was on the witness stand, but before he could testify, the defense pulled him off.
The jurors were excused, and while they were gone, defense attorneys argued to the judge that Bell "has the right to tell his side of the story."
Bell is accused of kidnapping two children who lived next door during a Fourth of July party last year.
Attorneys also said part of Bell's defense was that he sustained head injuries when family members of the children beat Bell and his partner when they found the children at their home.
Attorneys for Bell wanted him to testify where in the house he was injured, but the judge said Bell could only be asked if he was injured.
The defense said they retained the right to call Bell to the stand later.
This wasn't the first delay. Earlier the judge excused the jury to address one of the Bell's attorneys. The judge told the attorney "Bell is a defendant, not a victim." He said the attorney was in court to defend Bell and she was trying to prosecute those who attacked him. The attorney said she was defending her client.
The judge added assault was not an issue in this trial.
As for the witnesses, the defense called Bell's friends and family who were there during the early morning hours of the Fourth of July.
One witness said the group watched a movie and then went to sleep. That witness said he was trying to go to sleep when he heard Bell say, "Let's go find your mommy." He also said he didn't know how the kids got in the house.
Friends and family of Bell wouldn't talk on camera, but one friend said the trial will speak for itself.
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