Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Accused murderer faces new charges

A Rosston man accused in the Aug. 11 murder of an Arkadelphia couple has been arraigned on additional charges including sexual indecency with a child. The man is now being held on an additional $500,000 cash bond.

Kelvin Box, 39, 4523 Highway 371, appeared in court in Nevada County Aug. 16. Eighth Judicial District Circuit Judge Duncan Culpepper read the charges, which included sexual indecency with a child, sexual assault and terroristic threatening.

Culpepper then asked Eighth Judicial District Prosecutor Chris Thomason for a recommendation on bail. Thomason said that the terroristic threatening charge stems from an event after the time of the shootings and asked that the Culpeppers decision on the bond reflect the seriousness of that charge.

Culpepper said that Box was entitled to a bond on the charges, but set it at a half million dollars in cash. That bond is in addition to the half million dollar bond already set in the capital murder case against him. In the case of the capital murder case, Box could have bonded out for 10 percent of that amount. The additional bond set in the sexual indecency case means Box would be required to put up $550,000 in order to be released.

Box told Culpepper that his family is attempting to hire an attorney. Culpepper set the next court date on Sept. 4.

Box, wearing a bullet-proof vest, was escorted to the courthouse by Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton and Deputy Robert Henninger. Carlton stood at the courtroom railing, watching members of the audience during Boxs arraignment. Prescott Police Department Assistant Chief Ann Jordan stood at the courtroom door. Though officers were obviously prepared for problems, there were none. Box was escorted back to the jail by four officers.

Carlton said he has had reports of threats of violence against Box.

We werent taking any chances, Carlton said.

Thomason would not comment on a possible connection between the new charges and the charges of capital murder. Formal charges have not yet been filed.

Box turned himself in to Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton on Aug. 12. According to reports from Carlton and Arkansas State Police Detective Scott Clark, Box allegedly shot and killed the Arkadelphia couple at a Rosston residence. The victims have been identified as Boxs ex-wife, Tracy Lambert, 31, and Joseph Jerome Lambert, 36. Tracy Lambert and Box have an 11-year-old daughter.

The Lamberts and the child apparently arrived at the Rosston residence on the evening of Aug. 11. Box pulled into the driveway behind the couple. After a verbal exchange, Box then allegedly shot Joseph Lambert multiple times in the back and Tracy Lambert multiple times in the face. The child reportedly witnessed the event.

Clark confirmed that Joseph Lambert had a permit for a concealed weapon and had a gun at the time of the shooting. Carlton said the gun was in Lamberts hand when officers arrived at the scene.