By Police1 Staff
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. — An attorney announced Tuesday that he will seek the death penalty against a man charged in the murder of a Kentucky police officer.
WTVQ reported that Attorney Rick Bartley announced the move during the Officer Appreciation Ceremony in Pikeville. John Russell Hall is charged with the March killing of Pikeville Officer Scotty Hamilton.
On March 13, Hamilton responded to a call with Kentucky State Police and was patrolling the area with a trooper when they saw a suspicious vehicle. After speaking with people in the vehicle, the LEOs separated and searched around when shots were fired.
Hamilton was found with a fatal gunshot wound. Hall led police on a 24-hour manhunt before being captured and taken into custody.
Hall pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in March.