The brother of the man suspected of killing a Blount County Sheriff’s deputy briefly stood before a judge Feb. 12, accused of helping his sibling escape arrest.
Kenneth DeHart is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He is accused of shooting and killing Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers during a Maryville traffic stop Feb. 8.
His brother, Marcus Erving DeHart, 41, was the one in court, charged with accessory-after-the-fact. An affidavit says Marcus “knowingly and intentionally provided aid to his brother … with means of avoiding arrest and did harbor or conceal” Kenneth while he knew he was wanted for first-degree murder.
The affidavit does not detail how police believe Marcus helped Kenneth.
Marcus DeHart pleaded not guilty but remains jailed on a $1 million bond. A bond hearing was scheduled for Feb. 15.
Marcus DeHart’s attorney Scott Lanzon argued for a reduced bond since he’s being held on just a single charge, but Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond said the charge is more serious than a typical accessory-after-the-fact charge because his brother, whom he helped, “murdered a deputy and attempted to murder a second.”