Accused cop-killer arraigned in Pikeville officer's death
Channel: Mountain Top News
Date: 29/03/2018

Two weeks to the day after he was arrested, the man accused of murdering Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton entered a plea in the case in Pike Circuit Court.
Thursday afternoon, John Russell Hall entered a not guilty plea to charges including murder in relation to Officer Hamilton's death.
The arraignment hearing was fairly short and uneventful, but it helped paint a picture for where the case against Hall could go from here. A pretrial hearing was set for May 24th. Between today's hearing and that May 24th hearing, the Commonwealth will have to determine whether it intends to seek life in prison, or the death penalty for John Russell Hall.
Hall's attorney, Brian Hewlett, with the Public Defender's Office, said the case will be difficult for the community, as well as his office. But, he said, Hall has a right to representation.
John Russell Hall was ordered to continue to be held without bond. Hewlett did not object to that order. Hall was remanded back to the custody of the Pike County Detention Center, where he has been lodged since his arrest.