MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The man accused of killing a Tennessee deputy and wounding another during a traffic stop last week made his first court appearance Thursday.
Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., 42, was arraigned but has not yet entered a plea on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon, news outlets reported.
Blount Sessions Court Judge William K. Brewer assigned the public defender’s office to represent DeHart when the defendant said he did not have a lawyer. The public defender’s office did not immediately respond to a call on whether DeHart had been assigned a lawyer.
DeHart was arrested Tuesday in Knoxville after a five-day search. He is accused of fatally shooting Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, and wounding Deputy Shelby Eggers, 22, during a traffic stop last week, authorities have said.
Deputies had initiated a stop on suspicion of erratic driving and the driver was identified by authorities as DeHart. He refused to get out of the SUV, and a stun gun was used to no effect, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The driver produced a gun and fired shots, striking both deputies, the statement said. At least one deputy returned fire and DeHart drove off, it said.