DEADWOOD - The Shane Douglas Bell murder case in Lawrence County will strain the county's budget, Lawrence County public defender Eric Whitcher says.

Whitcher told Lawrence County Commissioners on Dec. 30, that his $10,000 budget for special assistance in 2009 will not cover anticipated expenses from the case.

Bell, 29, Spearfish, has been held in Lawrence County Jail since Dec. 21, when he was arrested on suspicion of shooting to death his girlfriend Bobbi McClure at the couple's residence in Spearfish. The shooting took place at the Spearfish Travelodge in Room 102. McClure's sister, Tammy Anderson, was also shot, but she survived.

Fourth Circuit Judge Randall Macy will preside over the case.

Bell, who has been charged with first degree murder and first degree attempted murder, will answer to the charges in 4th Circuit Court in Deadwood at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The Lawrence County State's Attorney's Office and the Lawrence County Public Defender's Office are in the process of exchanging information about evidence gathered in the case. Prosecutors are also gathering more information about Bell's background and actions leading up to the shooting, believed to have taken place late Saturday, Dec. 20.

During Tuesday's arraignment, Judge Macy is expected to read Bell's Constitutional rights and ask for a plea of guilty or not guilty. Bell was indicted Dec. 23 on the two counts.

He faces life in prison or even the death penalty if convicted of the charges.