FRANKFORT, Ky. – In a virtual court appearance on Wednesday at Franklin County Courthouse, Jacob Lee Bard, the suspect charged with the shooting death of a Kentucky State University student, faced a judge for the first time. Bard, 48, has been accused of murdering 19-year-old De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr. and injuring another student during a confrontation on the university campus on Tuesday.
Bard’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, which the judge acknowledged. The arrest citation indicates a physical altercation led to the tragic incident, prompting serious allegations against Bard. However, his defense attorney, Mark Hall, insisted there is more context to the case than what the citation reveals.
“While I understand the serious nature of the allegations, I believe that there are significant extenuating circumstances surrounding Mr. Bard’s actions,” Hall stated.
In response to the case’s financial implications, Hall requested that the judge consider lowering Bard’s bond. He argued that Bard is not a flight risk and that a reduced bond would allow him to support his wife and three children. Despite this request, the judge set a substantial cash bond of $1 million, keeping Bard in custody until the preliminary hearing, scheduled for December 16 at 1 p.m.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the family of De’Jon Fox, highlighting the community’s response to this tragic event and underscoring the urgency for support in times of loss.
The outcome of Bard’s forthcoming hearings will shed more light on the incident, with many in the community hoping for justice to prevail.