Butler Road murder suspect appears in court for preliminary hearing

Murder suspect Julian Bell of Hopkinsville appeared in Christian County District Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing concerning a fatal stabbing that occurred on July 4.

Bell was in the courtroom of District Judge J. Foster Cotthoff with his defense attorney Kim Guffy. Christian County Sheriff’s Department Detective Scott Noisworthy, who responded to the incident, says Bell and John Anthony Foster Jr. had gotten into an argument at a residence on Butler Road. The argument turned physical, and the pair went outside to the porch, which is when Bell reportedly stabbed Foster multiple times in the chest resulting in his death.

Noisworthy says two individuals witnessed the altercation.

The witnesses both reportedly suffered injuries from the knife that Bell was wielding while they attempted to separate the pair. Once Bell and Foster were separated, Bell reportedly fled the scene, leading to a pursuit that ended near the intersection of East 7th Street and South Virginia Street.

For the stabbing incident, Bell faces charges of murder and first-degree assault. Assistant County Attorney Jared Smith requested for another first-degree charge to be added to Bell’s charges to reflect that both witnesses suffered injuries in the incident. Cotthoff says the current and additional charges will be reviewed by a grand jury.

For fleeing from law enforcement, Bell is also charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, driving on a DUI suspended license, reckless driving, failure to produce an insurance card, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.