Richard Street murder suspect awaiting mental health evaluation

Another pretrial hearing was set for August 3 in the case against Daron Bell, who is charged in the February shooting death of Gregory Burse.

Bell is awaiting a mental health evaluation with the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Complex and while Judge Andrew Self asked if a virtual evaluation could be conducted, Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling says based on the nature of Bell’s charges, he would need to go in-person.

Judge Self says he will sign any orders as needed to expedite the process, but in the meantime, set a pretrial conference for August 3.

Bell is charged with murder.

Hopkinsville police say Bell admitted to shooting 36-year old Gregory Burse in the upper torso at 607 Richard Street in February. Burse was pronounced dead at Jennie Stuart Medical Center and Bell was soon arrested at another location.