A man accused of murder was arraigned in Harlan Circuit Court on Thursday. Shelby Shell, 29, of Berea, was arraigned in front of Judge Robert Costanza from Bell County.
Shell, who will be represented by Laura Karem of the Public Defenders Office, entered a plea of not guilty on charges of murder, first-degree robbery, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, persistent felony offender and second-degree arson.
Shell is accused of the murder of Ronnie King, a former Evarts mayor.
According to previous reports, King was found dead in his home on Feb. 18 when his brother, Jerome King, entered his brother’s house after seeing smoke. He found his brother dead inside the residence.
An autopsy determined King’s cause of death was a gunshot wound.
Previous reports show Shell was indicted on the charges last week and served at the Harlan County Detention Center where he is incarcerated, according to Kentucky State Police Det. Mike Cornett.
Shell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 15.
In other court action:
* Wesley Roy Tippett was sentenced on two counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance to four years in prison, probated for four years. Tippett is also required to pay $435 in restitution;
* Travis Tippett was sentenced on a charge of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance to three years in prison, probated for three years. Tippett was order to pay $145 restitution;
* Deborah Hensley was sentenced for second-degree trafficking a controlled substance to one year in prison, probated for one year. Hensley was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $125;
* Michael Harris was jailed on contempt of court charges for failure to make required payments.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com
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