Bell pleads not guilty in Cape double murder

A Cape Girardeau man charged last month with the shooting deaths of Shannon James and Misty Cole on Monday entered a plea of not guilty in court.

Kenneth D. Bell Jr., 22, appeared in a Cape Girardeau County Courtroom before Judge Benjamin Lewis. Bell waived his arraignment and had his case continued until April 18. Bell is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action, which could put him in prison for the rest of his life if he's convicted.

Bell last week was ordered to stand trial in a case that witnesses say began when James and Bell literally bumped into each other on a sidewalk just moments before the shooting.

Pertinent address:

100 Court St., Jackson, Mo.

401 S. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.