Third arrest made in Cedar Rapids murder case

A third person has been arrested by Cedar Rapids police in connection with the murder of Kevin Bell in January, police said today.

Johven J. Lee, 20, is charged with first-degree murder. Naperville, Ill. police arrested him Feb. 17, but he was not extradited to Cedar Rapids until last week.

Investigators believe Lee and two teens barged into an apartment at 113 First Ave. SW on Jan. 11. Bell, 26, was inside and was shot in the head by one of the intruders during the botched robbery attempt, police said. He died the next morning at an Iowa City hospital.

Denem A. Null, 17, and Gabriel D. Taylor, 17, also were charged with first-degree murder following their arrests a few weeks after Bell was killed. According to the criminal complaint, Null is accused of firing the gun that killed Bell. Both have filed not guilty pleas.

Police did not confirm Lee's arrest until Monday as a precaution, Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said.

"If they're out-of-state, they can fight extradition, and that can delay everything," Hamblin said.

Lee is in the Linn County Jail and Null and Taylor are being held at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center. Bond is set at $1 million for each of them.

Hamblin said investigators are still trying to determine a motive.

"Nobody is talking," she said. "We're still trying to put it together."