MADISONVILLE-For the first time since the last century, Madisonville has its first alleged homicide.

While Monroe County has seen, on average, three homicides a year in recent times, Madisonville saw its first killing since the late 1990's Sunday morning.

Madisonville Police Detective Daniel Dockery said it was just before 11:30 a.m. when police were told of a stabbing at a home on 3rd Street. Dockery said a man named James Terrance Davis had been stabbed multiple times and was taken to UT Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. 

A witness told Dockery that Davis, 30, McGhee Street, Madisonville, was walking on 3rd Street when he started to cut across a lawn and was confronted by Leon Bell. The witness said the two began to yell at each other, then began to physically fight.

The witness said Bell struck Davis several times in the left side rib area. During the fight, Davis had his shirt ripped off and the witness saw a large amount of blood on him and the witness saw Bell holding a knife.

The witness said Davis ran to her residence and she called 911. Bell allegedly began yelling, saying he was going to "go get a gun and shoot him and kill him."

Bell, 24, never left his property and Officers found him inside the house where he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Madisonville Police Chief Gregg Breeden said his department has dealt with both men before, but nothing major.

"Just your usual disturbances and fights," Breeden said. "We're still looking into exactly what they were fighting about, but if we do find out, we probably won't reveal it until we get into court."

Second-degree murder means the alleged killing wasn't pre-planned, happening on the spur of the moment.

michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat.com | 442-4575