Murder suspect given $5 million bond

The suspect in a Saturday murder case was given a $5 million bond in his first court appearance Tuesday.

Arnold Leo Ferrell III, 38, of Wilson, is charged with first-degree murder in 29-year-old Wilson resident Hayley Nicole Barbour’s shooting death.

Ferrell appeared before Chief District Judge William C. Farris in Wilson County District Court. Members of both the victim’s and defendant’s families attended the arraignment.

As bailiffs from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office brought Ferrell into the courtroom, some of Barbour’s 10 family members sobbed softly.

Ferrell was initially denied bond after his arrest. Judge Farris set a $5 million secured bond Tuesday.

“Everyone here is sorry for your loss,” Farris told the victim’s family.

Farris thanked relatives for being respectful of the process as Ferrell was escorted back to jail.

Family members met privately with Wilson police investigator Justin Godwin and Assistant District Attorney Kristen Spainhour following Ferrell’s appearance in the courtroom. After the brief meeting, a relative told the Times that Barbour’s family wouldn’t discuss the case with the media.

Wilson police responded to a 7:16 p.m. Saturday call reporting a gunshot victim at 4304 Camellia Drive NE. Camellia Drive is between Cam Strader Drive and Sweet Williams Lane in a residential area of western Wilson off Raleigh Road Parkway.

Police officers, some with long guns, surrounded the Camellia Drive home and took Ferrell into custody in the front yard. Ferrell is a co-owner of the home, according to Wilson County tax records.

The victim died at the scene.

Judge Farris set Ferrell’s probable cause hearing for Sept. 17 in Wilson County District Court.

Ferrell requested a court-appointed attorney. Court officials will contact the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services in Raleigh to appoint an attorney qualified to represent Ferrell on the first-degree murder charge.

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