On Tuesday, Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., the Alcoa man charged with the fatal shooting of Blount County Sheriff's Office deputy Greg McCowan during a traffic stop, returned to court for a new preliminary hearing. DeHart, who is 43, is facing over a dozen charges, including premeditated first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the February 2024 incident that also left another deputy, Shelby Eggers, wounded, according to WBIR.
A new hearing date was set for DeHart after Blount County Judge Tammy Harrington ruled that his right to choose his attorney had been violated. DeHart had said he was not given enough time to hire a private lawyer instead of the public defender. At the original preliminary hearing on February 20, 2024, his public defender requested more time, but the judge denied it. Harrington later ordered a new hearing, saying the judge "unreasonably denied [DeHart's] request for continuance, and as a result, improperly denied [him] his right to counsel of choice," as reported by WVLT.
DeHart has also been charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon, as per WATE. On September 16, 2024, his legal team filed a motion saying the lawyers first assigned to him did not address "unconstitutionally obtained evidence" and other issues. The upcoming hearing will focus on these claims and on ensuring his right to a fair legal process.
