Dwight Mitchel Bell Arrested By Dandridge Police Department – Fugitive From Justice and Person Of Interest In Murder and Rape Of Somerset, KY Woman

Dwight Mitchel Bell was arrested in Dandridge today and charged as a fugitive from justice. He is also a person of interest in the murder and rape of 70 year old Carolyn New of Somerset, Kentucky, theft of her vehicle and a separate incident of strangulation in Henry County, Indiana. New was found dead in the activity center of her Denham Street Baptist Church. Previously, Bell had served time for the death of his father and parole violation.

Bell, age 41, was doing laundry at the Pilot Travel Center in Dandridge when the arrest occurred. According to information provided by Sergeant Atkins of the Dandridge Police Department, a tip came in to Cocke County that Bell was in the area and that tip was passed on to the Dandridge Police Department and an arrest was made around 1:38 pm on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Instrumental in the arrest of Bell were Sergeant Doug Atkins, Sergeant Detective Kevin Bunch, Lt. Detective Kenny Lodwick, Officer Mike Hansel and Dandridge Police Chief Carson Williams. Bell was still being processed at the time of press. While extradition is likely, it is unknown at this time when Bell will be headed to Somerset, Ky or Henry County, Indiana for questioning and possible charges.