Kentucky man indicted for fatal shooting of police officer

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky man has been formally charged in the fatal shooting of a police officer last week.

John Russell Hall was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on charges including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among others. WYMT-TV reports Hall is accused of killing Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton.

Hamilton was killed March 13 while patrolling the Hurricane Creek area with a state trooper. The two came upon a suspicious vehicle and spoke with occupants. The two had separated to search for more possible suspects when shots were fired. The trooper later found Hamilton with a fatal gunshot wound.

Four other people — Michael Slone, Gregory Slone, Amanda Dotson, and Jeanne Blackburn — have been charged in the crime with hindering prosecution.

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Information from: WYMT-TV, http://www.wymt.com/