Formal sentencing was held Wednesday morning in Christian Circuit Court for 32-year old Lance Bowden of Hopkinsville, the man who killed 31-year old John Michael Kellems at a home on North McPherson Avenue in March of last year.
Bowden in February pled guilty but mentally ill to murder and felony auto theft as part of a deal that comes with a recommended 20-year sentence.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen asked Judge John Atkins to adhere to that agreement Wednesday, saying Kellems had been staying in the home because he had nowhere else to go.
Judge Atkins did not diverge from the plea deal and sentenced Bowden to 20 years.
The original warrant says Bowden used a knife to cut Kellems’ throat in the bedroom of a home on North McPherson.
Bowden was arrested a couple days after the killing for felony auto theft after he allegedly stole a pickup and drove it to work.