A man charged with the rape and murder of an elderly Somerset, Kentucky woman made his first appearance in a courtroom this morning in Pulaski County, Kentucky (Friday, September 15, 2017). Three court bailiffs, one wearing a bullet proof vest, surrounded Dwight Bell as he entered the courtroom. Bell’s court appointed attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The judge ordered Bell to be held without bond and set a preliminary hearing for Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Officers say the victim, 70-year-old Ruthie Carolyn New, was found dead in an activity center at Denham Street Baptist in Somerset on August 24. According to the complaint warrant, Bell allegedly raped New and cut her throat before stealing her vehicle and driving to Indianapolis. Bell was arrested this week in Dandridge, Tennessee where he allegedly confessed to Somerset investigators to the crimes.