Father of 'American Idol' finalist charged in waitress incident

<p>The father of a former "American Idol" finalist was charged Friday with simple battery after being accused by a waitress of making an unwelcome sexual advance.</p><p>Former Atlanta police chief Eldrin Bell, the father of former "Idol" finalist Justin Guarini, was formally arrested Friday after a court hearing on the matter. Bell was released on his own recognizance.</p><p>The 68-year-old Bell, a candidate for chairman of the Clayton County Commission, was Atlanta's police chief from 1990 to 1994. In all, he spent 33 years on the city's police force.</p><p>Daphne Michelle Wynn, 30, a waitress at The Feed Store in College Park, said Bell grabbed her from behind while leaving the restaurant and then sucked on her neck, leaving a bruise.</p><p>Five police photos, taken within 20 minutes of the May 7 incident, showed a red mark under Wynn's right ear and helped the judge determine there was probable cause for the charge.</p><p>After the hearing, Bell said he was "surprised, yes and shocked that all of this came about."</p><p>"I am not guilty," Bell said. "I am going to continue to work hard on this campaign."</p><p>Two years ago, Bell enjoyed the spotlight that in recent weeks belonged to another Georgia family with a child on "American Idol." On Wednesday night, Diana DeGarmo, 16, of Snellville, Ga., finished as the runner-up to Fantasia Barrino in this year's "Idol" televised talent show. Bell's son, Guarini, was the runner-up to "American Idol" Kelly Clarkston in the 2002 debut season of the show.</p><p>Guarini lived in Atlanta until his mother, former CNN anchor Kathy Pepino, and Bell divorced and he moved with his mother to Doylestown, Pa., in the mid-1980s. Pepino later married retired physicist Jerry Guarini.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/5/167992