The recent guilty plea by Arlene Theresa Bell in the murder of Gary Lehmeyer raises serious questions about how our justice system handles cases involving potential self-defense, especially for vulnerable populations. While Bell has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the details emerging from this case suggest a scenario that deserves far more nuanced consideration than a simple murder conviction.
Bell’s account describes a terrifying confrontation: being trapped in a room, assaulted with a dehumidifier, and strangled with a cord. These elements strongly suggest a case of self-defense that has been overlooked in favor of a straightforward murder narrative. The criminal justice system’s tendency to simplify complex cases into binary guilty/not-guilty decisions often fails to account for the messy reality of domestic violence and self-defense situations.
The Missing Context of Domestic Violence
What’s glaringly absent from the reporting is any investigation into the relationship dynamic between Bell and Lehmeyer prior to this incident. Bell was living in Lehmeyer’s home, suggesting an intimate or dependent relationship. This context matters tremendously. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner, and 94% of the victims of these murder-suicides are female.
The description of Bell being prevented from leaving a room aligns with classic patterns of domestic control. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that preventing someone from leaving during an argument is one of the most common forms of domestic control that precedes violence. When Bell describes Lehmeyer not allowing her to leave and then physically attacking her, these should be recognized as potential warning signs of domestic violence, not dismissed as excuses.
The justice system has historically struggled to properly evaluate claims of self-defense by women. A landmark study by the Michigan Women’s Justice & Clemency Project found that women who kill their abusers receive sentences 2-6 times longer than men who kill their female partners, even when claiming self-defense with similar evidence.
The Problematic Rush to Judgment
Bell’s actions following Lehmeyer’s death—binding his feet and fleeing toward Mexico—have likely been interpreted as consciousness of guilt. However, trauma responses often appear irrational to outside observers. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes that trauma can cause victims to behave in ways that seem counterintuitive, including taking actions that might later be used to undermine their credibility.
The trooper’s assessment that Bell appeared to be
