KENNETH DEHART TO FACE JUDGE IN NEW PRELIMINARY HEARING FOR DEPUTY MURDER CASE
Kenneth DeHart, accused of killing Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring another deputy, Shelby Eggers, during a February 2024 traffic stop, is scheduled to appear in circuit court in Maryville, Tennessee, on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. This hearing follows Judge Tammy Harrington’s decision to grant him a new preliminary hearing, after determining that DeHart had insufficient time to hire a private attorney before his initial court proceedings.
His case has involved significant developments, including a prior preliminary hearing last month where over 100 people testified, among them representatives from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, local police departments, and AMR, as well as the injured Deputy Eggers. DeHart faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, and the Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond has indicated that his office will pursue the death penalty if DeHart is convicted.
The court appearance is expected to be broadcast live on WVLT+ and covered in related news stories.
