A Berea man charged for the murder of Ronnie King is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Harlan District Court on March 4.
According to the criminal complaint sworn out by Kentucky State Police Lt. Jason Adams, Shelby Shell, 29, unlawfully entered Ronnie King’s residence and shot him in the head. Shell then allegedly bound Ronnie King’s hands and feet with duct tape. The complaint states Shell then set fire to the residence in an attempt to destroy or remove evidence from the scene. The complaint also states Shell entered the home in possession of a firearm.
Shell was arrested by the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team on Monday at his residence at 100 Melody Lane in Berea for the murder of King, 59, of Evarts.
Previous reports state King was found dead in his home on Feb. 18 when his brother, Jerome King, went into his brother’s house after seeing smoke and found his brother dead inside the residence. Evarts Fire Department and Kentucky State Police were then called to the scene.
Harlan County Coroner Phillip Bianchi sent the body to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. The autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound.
After his arrest, Shell was transported back to Harlan County and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
Shell faces multiple charges including murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree arson, kidnapping of an adult, tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary. He was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and parole violation.
King was manager of Eastbrook Apartments and a former mayor and council member for the city of Evarts.
KSP Det. Michael Cornett is in charge of the investigation.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@civitasmedia.com
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