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EDITOR’S NOTE: The content in this story is jarring and may be unsettling or inappropriate for some viewers. Body camera footage and dash camera footage of a traffic stop that ended with a shooting that left one deputy dead and another injured were shown during the hearing.
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Kenneth Wayne DeHart, the man accused of shooting and killing Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan, is set to appear in court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
DeHart has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a weapon in relation to a shooting in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road that left McCowan dead and another deputy injured on February 8. The other deputy, identified as Shelby Eggers, was treated at UT Medical Center and released.
Preliminary Hearing Details
The preliminary hearing began with the public defender appointed to DeHart asking the judge to allow DeHart more time to hire an attorney. The motion to continue was denied, and the hearing proceeded with testimonies.
During the preliminary hearing, Eggers took the stand to recount her experience during the tragic incident on the 4900 block of Sevierville Road. She detailed the events leading up to the shooting that resulted in the death of Deputy McCowan and her own injuries.
DeHart was apprehended at a residence in Knoxville after a five-day search. Security footage captured DeHart exiting the home through a back door following loud noises, leading to his arrest.
Legal Proceedings
DeHart was arraigned at the Blount County Justice Center on February 15, where his charges were read, and a date for the preliminary hearing was set. Despite a plea for more time to hire legal representation, the hearing proceeded as scheduled.
Additionally, DeHart’s brother, Marcus DeHart, and his girlfriend, Carrie Matthews, were charged with accessory after the fact in connection to the case. Their court dates are set for March 25 and March 15, respectively. Maurice Donnell Warren has also been accused of aiding DeHart and faces charges of felony accessory after the fact with a preliminary hearing set for March 5.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional information from the preliminary hearing.
Stay tuned for further developments in this ongoing case.
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