Man pleads not guilty in decades-old Massac County homicide case
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
MASSAC COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) — A Kentucky man charged in a 1984 homicide has pleaded not guilty and will remain in custody as the case moves forward.
George E. Bradfield, 77, of Owensboro, Kentucky, entered the plea during a court appearance, according to court records. A judge ordered him detained pending further proceedings.
Bradfield is charged in connection with the killing of Lisa Ann Carnes, whose body was found in 1984. A grand jury returned an indictment charging him with five counts of murder, all classified as Class M felonies.
Court filings indicate Bradfield was advised of the charges and potential penalties. Because of the age of the case, sentencing could be subject to laws in effect at the time of the offense as well as current statutes.
Prosecutors have filed a petition to deny pretrial release, along with a sworn summary supporting detention. The court granted a defense request to continue proceedings to allow time to review the filing.
A detention hearing is scheduled for May 6 at 1 p.m. in Massac County court.
Records show Bradfield was arrested in Owensboro and later extradited to Illinois following the indictment.
The case remained unsolved for more than four decades before charges were filed earlier this month. The Massac County State’s Attorney’s Office said forensic and DNA technology played a key role in the arrest. Officials said additional details are being withheld to protect the case.
