By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Richard Fessler appeared in a Campbell County District Courtroom Tuesday via video monitor to face two charges of murder and one count of attempted murder.
It was Fessler’s first court appearance since he was arrested and charged with killing Brian Cornelius, 47 and a 14-year-old male on Cottonwood Court in Alexandria Friday.
Another man, 37-year-old Derek Johnson, was injured, but is expected to survive.
Cornelius was Fessler’s cousin and the 14-year-old victim was his half-brother. Johnson has been identified as the fiance of another of Fessler’s cousins.
District Judge Cameron Blau entered pleas of not guilty on Fessler’s behalf, which is standard procedure on felony charges in Kentucky.
Fessler, 18, was represented by a public defender. He did not speak, except to identify himself to the court and answer questions to determine his inability to retain private counsel.
Police have not released a motive for the shooting.
James Cornelius, the brother of Brian Cornelius, spoke with reporters briefly following the proceeding and asked the media to give the family “a little distance” during this difficult time.
“We’re just struggling to make it through at this point,” he said.
Regarding Fessler, Cornelius said, “He’s an animal and he’s where he needs to be, in a cage.”
Fessler is being held in the Campbell County Detention Center on a $1 million bond. His next scheduled court appearance is Thursday, Nov, 21.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com