Judge denies bond review in murder case, says suspect remains potential danger to public

The suspect in a fatal hit-and-run Sept. 29 pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of murder and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid with death or serious physical injury during arraignment Monday in Montgomery County District Court.

Arionne Harris, 26, of Richmond, Ind., swore under oath he had no income and no assets and was assigned a public defender.

If Harris is not indicted by the Montgomery County Grand Jury Oct. 23, District Judge William "Willie" Roberts scheduled a preliminary hearing for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26. 

The public defender's office requested a bond review of his $2 million bond. The judge said Harris remains a potential danger to the public and his bond should remain the same.

Harris is accused of allegedly causing the death of Felicia Joseph, 36, of Lexington.

Joseph alleged to her sister that Harris, who is a lifetime sexual offender registrant, raped her prior to her death, a complaint warrant filed by Montgomery County Sheriff's Lt. Robert Workman claims.

Joseph was allegedly struck by a semi-truck driven by Harris and then dragged approximately 530 yards, the complaint warrant claims. Her body was dismembered. 

She was reportedly drug underneath the truck from the back parking lot of Pilot to U.S. 60 (Owingsville Road) and then towards I-64 where her body dislodged just prior to the interstate bridge, according to the complaint warrant.

The Montgomery County 911 Center received a call at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 stating there was a body and body parts on U.S. 60 near the Pilot Truck Stop, 3060 Owingsville Road.

Through the investigation, Workman says he was able to determine that Joseph had been brought to the Pilot Truck Stop by her sister, the complaint warrant claims.

Harris, authorities claim, left the scene following the incident. He was later apprehended in Kansas by the U.S. Marshal's Service and extradited back to Montgomery County, where he remains an inmate at the local jail.

Harris was previously convicted in Lake County, Ind., on a rape charge and sentenced to five years. Harris was 18 at the time. The victim was reportedly 19.

Harris was to register as a lifetime sex offender.

Harris was also wanted on a full-extradition warrant out of Texas for failure to comply with the sex offender registry.