Blount County Judge Rules Kenneth Dehart to Face 1st-Degree Murder Charges in Fatal Deputy Shooting

Kenneth DeHart, the man accused of killing Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers, returned to court on Tuesday.

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DeHart is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and felony possession of a weapon in the Feb. 8 shooting, which occurred during a routine traffic stop. The deputies requested that DeHart exit his Lexus SUV and tased him when he did not comply, according to body cam footage.

🚨GRAPHIC: Bodycam footage of Deputy Greg McCowan's m*rder released.

Deputy McCowan was brutally shot to d*ath by a v*olent criminal.

You didn't hear about this story because it doesn't fit the narrative. pic.twitter.com/WwYli0i4OB

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 21, 2024

DeHart allegedly produced a firearm and shot both deputies before speeding away. McCowan later died from his gunshot wounds and Eggers was hospitalized and later recovered from her injuries.

DeHart was captured on Tuesday, Feb. 13, when police raided a home on Linden Avenue. His capture followed the arrests of his girlfriend, Carrie Matthews, and his brother, Marcus DeHart, who were both charged with accessory after the fact.

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Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong has said he would like prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in DeHart’s case. {snip}

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