North McPherson murder suspect appears in court

Arraignment was waived and a pretrial hearing was set in the case against Lance Bowden in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Bowden, who was recently indicted for murder in the stabbing death of John Michael Kellums on North McPherson Street in March and also charged with theft by unlawful taking, had his arraignment waived by public defender Monroe Graham, who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

That brings all his cases together in circuit court, and Judge John Atkins set a pretrial conference for June 22, telling Bowden that his attorney may request a separate bond modification hearing when she is ready to argue it.

Bowden is accused of allegedly using a knife to cut the throat of 31-year-old John Michael Kellums at a residence on North McPherson Street in March of this year.