JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The man accused in the murder of a local firefighter’s wife faces new charges.
Lance Eugene Kirkpatrick is now also charged with armed burglary and sexual battery in addition to second-degree murder. In an arraignment hearing Thursday morning, his attorney plead not-guilty to all three charges.
The prosecution told Action News that they will most likely file more charges against Kirkpatrick but would not give any specifics.
Kirkpatrick is due back in court January 7.
Police arrested Kirkpatrick in the murder of 38-year-old Kim Marie Dorsey. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Kirkpatrick killed Dorsey with a blunt object and a knife.
Police say Kirkpatrick was a contractor who did odd jobs at the Dorseys’ home in the Highland Glenn Subdivision. He began living with the couple when he fell on hard times but moved out at the time of the murder.
According to police, on October 27th, Kirkpatrick returned to the home to pick up some old items. Kim Dorsey was the only one home at the time. Her husband, a Jacksonville firefighter, was working a 24-hour shift. Police say Dorsey was not expecting Kirkpatrick and when she refused to let him inside, he hit her in the head with a blunt object, then stabbed her.
Dorsey's husband found her body the next day.
