Kirby                                   Phipps                                    Russell

The three local men accused in a home invasion in Graves County last week have been arraigned in Graves District Court.

WPSD TV reports that 24-year old James Kirby and 40-year old Richard Phipps of Hopkinsville and 29-year old Edwin Russell of Elkton pled not guilty. Kirby and Phipps are charged with murder, while Russell is charged with complicity to murder.

The prosecution alleges Kirby and Phipps shot Richard Jett when he answered the door and struck him with a weapon before shooting his wife, Sharon Jett, in the back. Richard died Sunday in an area hospital.

Ms. Jett took several more shots to the legs and body, but still managed to shoot Phipps in the side and hand. The TV station reports Phipps hid his arm in a sling underneath his shirt during the court hearing.

Russell was allegedly the driver who took Kirby and Phipps to the residence, and once dated the Jett’s daughter years ago. Russell reportedly told the others suspects they would find cash and guns at the residence and allegedly supplied them with a gun.

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02/20/2012/am