Follow-Up: Bell Responds to Petition Seeking His Removal in Word of Faith Case

District Attorney Ted Bell is pushing back against a newly filed petition calling for his removal from office — a petition brought forward by former Word of Faith Fellowship member Matthew Fenner, who alleges Bell has failed to move forward with prosecutions tied to claims of assault within the church.

Fenner’s petition asks the court to remove Bell entirely, or at minimum disqualify him from handling the case and appoint an independent prosecutor. Bell, however, says the allegations are unfounded and misrepresent years of legal proceedings.

In a statement provided December 3, Bell confirmed that two filings were submitted in Rutherford County Superior Court — an affidavit from Fenner identifying himself as the victim in the pending case, and a formal petition for Bell’s removal. Both were submitted by attorney Andrew LaBreche, whom Bell notes has previously filed lawsuits against him and multiple judges, cases Bell says were dismissed by the courts.

Bell emphasized that he is limited in what he can discuss publicly due to ethics rules governing prosecutors with active cases.

"Rule 3.8 extremely limits a prosecutor’s ability to comment on pending criminal cases," Bell said. "However, Rule 3.6(c) does allow a lawyer to make a limited statement when substantial undue prejudicial effect from recent publicity cannot otherwise be mitigated. These allegations are false, and I will respond to each false statement if and when directed to do so by the court."

Bell added that he believes public filings and online debate are not the appropriate venue for resolving disputes in an active criminal matter.

"Out of respect for the judicial process and my ethical obligations as a prosecutor, these matters are properly decided by a judge where evidence is presented, facts are established, and due process is afforded to all parties — not through public speculation or media commentary," he said. "Courts and judges exist for the very purpose of resolving disputed facts through lawful procedure and impartial judgment."

The filings stem from charges first brought in 2014 against five Word of Faith members — Brooke Covington, Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Adam Bartley and Louis Walker — in connection with Fenner’s claims that he was assaulted in 2013. The defendants were to be tried separately, and in 2017 a Buncombe County jury trial for Brooke Covington ended in mistrial. Covington is now scheduled for retrial December 8 in Buncombe County, facing second-degree kidnapping and simple assault charges.

Fenner argues that Bell delayed the case for years, did not maintain communication, and allowed accommodations for defendants. He also claims the timing of the retrial conflicts with a major medical residency interview. Bell has not responded to those specific allegations beyond rejecting them as false.

The matter now rests with the court, which will determine whether Bell remains on the case or whether a separate prosecutor will be appointed.