Harrodsburg doctor pleads not guilty in wife's death

By Greg Kocher - gkocher1@herald-leader.com

DANVILLE — A Harrodsburg doctor accused of murder in the death of his wife pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Boyle District Court.

Dr. Steven Hall will continue to maintain his innocence in the death of his wife, Isabel, defense attorney Greg Simms of Lebanon said after the arraignment.

"What happened in this case was a horrific and very tragic accident, for which the family will continue to struggle emotionally for a long time," Simms said.

Steven C. Hall has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Isabel, at Herrington Lake in Boyle County.

"Today we entered a plea of not guilty, and by that we have declared Dr. Hall's innocence, and he will continue to maintain his innocence at all stages of these proceedings."

Kentucky State Police arrested Hall about 11 p.m. Friday after an altercation and death were reported about 4:30 p.m. that day on Herrington Lake near Gwinn Island Resort and Marina in Boyle County.

Hall told police that he and his wife got into a fight and that he threw her off a pontoon boat into the lake. Hall told police that he drove the boat toward her to scare her and accidentally struck her. However, five witnesses told police that it was an intentional act.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Boyle District Court. At that time, a judge will hear evidence to decide whether there is probable cause to send the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Hall is being held without bond in the Boyle County jail.

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