Prosecutors will seek death penalty for Kenneth DeHart, accused of killing Blount County deputy
Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. could face the death penalty if he is convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Blount County deputy Greg McCowan.
Blount County prosecutors decided to seek the death penalty if DeHart is found guilty. DeHart pleaded not guilty to all charges Dec. 13.
Judge Tammy M. Harrington said the proceedings would take longer than usual because of the complexities of the charges.
"I've set a court date that is in 2026, which is far beyond what this court normally sets for a trial date. I've done that because it is complex," Harrington said in court "The litigation is going to require is going to require several hearings and several motions. I do not intend to move that trial date."
DeHart faces a murder charge in McCowan's death and an attempted first-degree murder charge in the shooting of deputy Shelby Eggers. Police say DeHart shot them during a February traffic stop in Maryville.
McCowan was 43 when he died, leaving behind a fiancee, children and a granddaughter. He joined the Blount County Sheriff's Office in 2020.
Just before 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8, McCowan and Eggers stopped DeHart's SUV on Sevierville Road in Maryville because they saw him swerving.
Eggers said she smelled marijuana and explained she had probable cause to search the SUV. DeHart denied the odor was coming from him and refused to get out.
McCowan arrived as a backup, and the deputies tried to pull DeHart out of the car but he pulled the door shut.
DeHart continued to resist as they demanded he get out, body camera footage shows.
McCowan used a Taser on DeHart and also accidentally hit Eggers.
As Eggers backed off to recover, DeHart pulled out a handgun and fired several times. Both were hit, and McCowan died.
DeHart fled in his car and was found days later.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Prosecutors seek death penalty for Kenneth DeHart, accused of killing Blount County deputy
