An Alcoa man at the center of one of Blount County's most closely watched criminal cases pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges in a 2024 traffic-stop shooting that killed one deputy and wounded another.
Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., 43, entered his plea in Blount County Circuit Court on a 21-count indictment that includes premeditated first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors have already filed notice that they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted, and judges are now weighing a stack of defense and prosecution motions over counsel and evidence that could reshape the case before it reaches a jury.
The shooting unfolded just before 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2024, after deputies pulled an SUV over on Sevierville Road in Maryville. Authorities say the driver produced a handgun and opened fire, hitting Deputies Greg McCowan and Shelby Eggers. McCowan later died, and Eggers was treated and released, according to WSMV. The attack sparked a multi-agency manhunt that ended days later with DeHart's arrest in Knoxville.
At Wednesday's hearing, DeHart stood on the record and pleaded not guilty to every charge in the indictment. Prosecutors said the case now encompasses a long list of serious counts and will move ahead after additional pretrial hearings, as reported by WVLT. Local TV crews also carried the arraignment, including coverage on WBIR.
Charges and the death penalty notice
A Blount County grand jury handed up the 21-count indictment in February, listing first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, weapons offenses, and related charges. The Blount County district attorney's office has said it will seek capital punishment if DeHart is found guilty, according to reporting by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Defense strategy and pretrial fights
DeHart's legal team has already notched one key pretrial win. His attorneys argued that he was not given enough time to hire private counsel before an earlier hearing, and a judge ultimately granted a new preliminary hearing, a development detailed in coverage of the new preliminary hearing. DeHart also filed a federal lawsuit last year accusing authorities of using excessive force during his arrest, as reported by WVLT.
What's next
Court calendars list additional motion hearings in the coming weeks and point to a trial timeline in spring 2026. Legal filings and local reporting have flagged a possible April trial window, with more hearings expected as both sides fight over evidence and narrow down witness lists, per WATE.
For Blount County, the case remains personal. Deputy Greg McCowan, 43, was remembered by relatives and colleagues as a devoted officer who had served with the sheriff's office since 2020. Community members and county leaders continue to track every development as the legal battle plays out, with local outlets providing live updates from each court appearance.
