Mychal Bell released on bail

Mychal Bell, the last of the "Jena 6" behind bars, was released from custody Thursday after a juvenile court judge set his bail at $45,000. He is accused of beating a white classmate.

Bell's release followed an announcement from LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters, who said he would not appeal a higher court's decision moving Bell's case to juvenile court.

Walters said his decision not to appeal was based on what he believed was best for the victim in the case. According to CNN.com, Walters told reporters, "While I believe that a review would have merit ... I believe it is in the best interest of the victim and his family not to delay this matter any further and move it to its conclusion."

Thousands of demonstrators at last week's march protested how authorities handled the cases of Bell and five other teens accused of beating fellow student Justin Barker.

Many said they were angry that the students, dubbed the Jena 6, were being treated more harshly than three white students who hung nooses from an oak tree on Jena High School property.

The white students were suspended from school, but did not face criminal charges. The protesters said they should have been charged with a hate crime.

Bell's attorney Lewis Scott said the teen was moved from jail to a juvenile facility earlier Thursday.

Bell still faces trial in juvenile court in December, which is what civil rights leaders and tens of thousands of activists argued should have happened all along.