KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Kenneth DeHart, Jr., the man accused of killing Deputy Greg McCowan during a traffic stop initiated by Deputy Shelby Eggers, was back in Blount County Circuit Court Wednesday for a motion hearing.
DeHart’s defense team was asking to suppress evidence.
The defense argued that Eggers used excessive force during the deadly Feb. 8, 2024 traffic stop, before the shooting of McCowan.
The defense said the deputies were trained to only use a taser if someone is an “immediate threat,” but they testified DeHart wasn’t a threat to Eggers while sitting in his car.
They believed the stun-gunning was illegal and asked Judge Tammy Harrington to throw out all the evidence that came afterward
The District Attorney’s office disagrees. They said DeHart refused to get out of the car dozens of times and that the deputies only used the taser because he was resisting them.
The state also argued that even if a judge thought the force was too much, there is no law in Tennessee that says you can throw out evidence because of it.
Harrington reviewed the information and ultimately denied the motion to suppress evidence in the case.
Dehart is currently being held in jail without bond. His trial is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2026.
