Man who stabbed his triplet brother to death says he was just trying to hug him

Kenneth Jernigan, 36, told officers stabbing was an accident while cooking, police say

Columbus, Georgia, where a triplet is accused of fatally stabbing one of his brothers (Getty Images)

A triplet accused of fatally stabbing one of his brothers has claimed the incident was a mistake, and he had only meant to hug his sibling.

Kenneth Jernigan, 36, made his first court appearance last week after telling police he accidentally killed his brother, Kevin Jernigan, in Columbus, Georgia.

Jernigan was charged with murder and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime.

Columbus police spokesman Matt Sitler said Kenneth Jernigan told officers they had been in the kitchen making food when he went to hug Kevin Jernigan, but instead stabbed him.

Mr Sitler said the evidence does not support Kenneth Jernigan's story. Post-mortem tests are still ongoing.

The third brother, Keith Jernigan, testified that he did not witness the stabbing.

The case has been bound over to the superior court.

AP