The McCreary County man who allegedly led authorities on a high-speed motorcycle chase across Madison and Clark counties last week waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court.
Mitchell Glenn Bell is charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing or evading police, reckless driving, speeding more than 26 mph over the limit, not having a motorcycle operator’s license, failure to register the transfer of a motorcycle, failure to maintain insurance, no registration plates and aggravated driving under the influence, first offense.
Senior Judge David Hayse agreed to amend Bell’s bond to $10,000 cash or property. Bell has been lodged in the Madison County Detention Center since Winchester police captured him June 25.
Bell was apprehended after wrecking the motorcycle and fleeing on foot for several blocks, Winchester police said Friday.
The chase began on Interstate 75 when Richmond police received a complaint of a reckless driver on a motorcycle, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman, on Friday.
Officers pursued Bell to Exit 95, where he began speeding down KY 627 toward Clark County, Reardon said. Richmond police abandoned the chase because of traffic and the high rate of speed, but Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officers picked up the pursuit before notifying Clark County authorities.
Stolen beer charges
A man charged with second-degree burglary and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking into an apartment in May with another man to steal six cans of beer had charges against him reduced after claiming ownership of the beer.
James M. Glass had been charged along with Michael Kevin Jones, 19, for allegedly kicking in the door of an apartment in the 300 block of E. Irvine Street around 1:30 a.m. on May 8.
The duo was accused of stealing “six cans of Coors Light beer,” said Richmond police Detective Rodney Richardson at Jones’ hearing in May.
Richardson took the stand Wednesday at Glass’ hearing to testify again, and said Glass had claimed ownership of the beer and admitted being present when the door was kicked in, but denied helping Jones kick the door in.
In light of Glass claiming ownership of the beer, Hayse amended the burglary charge to first-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and set an Aug. 4 court date.
Jones’ charges were sent to a Madison County grand jury following his hearing in May.
Ramming car case
Richmond police officer Jason Spaulding testified that the car Adam W. Morton allegedly rammed repeatedly at a Richmond gas station during an altercation was totaled.
Morton, 34, of Adams Hill Lane, faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident for the June 22 altercation at the Exxon Friendly Mart on Lexington Road.
Spaulding said Morton allegedly rammed another car with his truck four times before fleeing the scene. The accident stemmed from a disagreement between Morton and the driver of the other car regarding the man’s fiancee, who was an ex-girlfriend of Morton’s, Spaulding said.
Morton was charged with wanton endangerment because there was a passenger inside the car when he allegedly rammed it in an attempt to push it off the parking lot.
Hayse found probable cause following Spaulding’s testimony to send the case to a Madison County grand jury. Morton remains lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
Local News
Motorcyclist waives court hearing for chase charges
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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