Image Credit: Blount County Sheriff’s Office & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The man accused of killing a Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy and injuring another made his first court appearance since being arrested on Tuesday.
Kenneth DeHart appeared in court on Thursday morning and was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a weapon.
He is currently being held without bond and will be back in court to answer to the charges on February 20.
According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, DeHart opened fire on two deputies during a traffic stop in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road on February 8.
Deputy Greg McCowan was fatally shot, and Deputy Shelby Eggers was shot in the leg before DeHart fled from authorities.
DeHart was arrested at a Knoxville home after a nearly five-day manhunt. Blount County Sheriff stated that he was taken into custody using McCowan’s handcuffs.
A public defender was assigned to represent DeHart, who said he did not have a lawyer at the time of his hearing. His family has said they are looking into finding an attorney to represent him instead.
If convicted, DeHart could be sentenced to life in prison without parole, life in prison with the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond will make the determination as to whether they will seek the death penalty in this case.
Also charged in the incident were DeHart’s brother and girlfriend, Marcus DeHart and Carrie Matthews.
Both were charged with accessory after the fact. Marcus DeHart was originally held on a $1,000,000 bond, but that was reduced to $10,000 and he bonded out Wednesday. His court date is set for March 25.
