Police catch man after 3-hour chase

FLORENCE - A Lauderdale County man who is charged with murder in connection with the 2007 death of his sister and wanted for not appearing in a court hearing last week was arrested after a three-hour chase Monday, authorities said.

Joseph Arnold "Joel" Hill III, 20, 164 Dogwood Lane, Lexington, was caught hiding in a pasture south of Huntsville Road just before 6 p.m., said Lauderdale sheriff's officials.

Investigators with the district attorney's office found Hill at a residence at the intersection of U.S. 72 and Huntsville Road sometime between 3-3:30 p.m. Monday but were unable to take him into custody.

"He ran from the residence, and sheriff's department and Florence police were called in to help," said Chief Deputy Junior Witt, of the Lauderdale sheriff's office.

Witt said canine units from Lauderdale County and Florence were called in for the search.

"They didn't give up, and the two dogs were able to track him and finally locate him," Witt said.

He said Lauderdale County canine officer Joe Shanes and his dog Fox found Hill and that Hill gave up without incident.

Hill was scheduled to appear in court July 22 for a violation of ankle monitoring.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said Hill had apparently violated the terms of the monitoring while out on bond for murder.

Hill was charged in March 2007 in connection with the shooting death of his sister, Brenda Josetta "Josie" Hill Blevins, 20, 164 Dogwood Lane, Lexington.

The shooting took place March 17, 2007, after the siblings reportedly argued, and Blevins died the next day at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Connolly said Hill's murder trial is on the circuit court docket for next week. He said that at this point he doesn't know how Hill's recent failure to appear for the hearing will affect the court date.

Hill is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center.