An Asbury Park man was sentenced to eight years in state prison on Friday for the mid-afternoon shooting another city man last year. Jerrell Bell, 19, will have to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term under the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Bette E. Uhrmacher, sitting in Freehold. Bell had pleaded guilty to the shooting on May 8. Police said Bell and another man, Corey Gibson, each opened fire on a group of men as they walked along Main Street in Asbury Park on March 27, 2007. Bell was arrested a short time later carrying a .22 caliber handgun, Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said. Gibson was arrested later that day by police responding to an unrelated call, prosecutors said. Gibson pleaded guilty on May 12 to aggravated assault for his role in the shooting, prosecutors said. He is expected to receive a five year prison term when he is sentenced on July 25, according to the terms of his plea agreement. "Bell senselessly shot at a group of young men on Main Street in Asbury Park in broad daylight," Valentin said. "Bell's actions left one young man injured and the lives of several others in jeopardy. The investigation of this matter exemplified how cooperation between the police and the citizens of Asbury Park can ensure that individuals responsible for senseless, violent acts such as these are brought to justice." ...
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