MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Kenneth DeHart, the man charged in the 2024 shooting death of Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan and the wounding of Deputy Shelby Eggers, is asking a judge to move his trial outside Blount County.
The request for a change of venue comes as DeHart’s defense team argues that widespread publicity surrounding the high-profile case could make it difficult to seat an impartial jury locally.
DeHart’s case drew intense public attention across East Tennessee following a February 2024 traffic stop that turned deadly. Authorities said deputies stopped DeHart’s vehicle and attempted to have him exit after reporting the smell of marijuana. Body camera footage later released to the public showed the encounter escalating before gunfire erupted.
Investigators said DeHart shot both deputies during the stop, killing Deputy McCowan and seriously injuring Deputy Eggers.
The shooting sparked a multi-day manhunt that stretched across East Tennessee before law enforcement officers located and arrested DeHart in Knoxville.
DeHart was originally indicted on 21 charges, including:
- First-degree murder (premeditated)
- Attempted first-degree murder (premeditated)
- Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm
- Felon in possession of a handgun
- Three counts of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
- Three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
- Two counts of aggravated assault against a first responder
- Reckless endangerment
- Tampering with evidence
- Evading arrest with risk of death or serious bodily injury
- Aggravated assault
- Resisting arrest
- Failure to maintain lane
A Blount County Grand Jury later re-indicted DeHart after he was granted a new preliminary hearing. Judge Tammy Harrington ruled that DeHart had not been given sufficient time to secure private legal counsel before being represented by a public defender during earlier proceedings.
Requests for a change of venue are common in high-profile criminal cases and are typically sought when defense attorneys believe extensive media coverage or public attention could affect jury impartiality.
A judge has not yet ruled on DeHart’s request to move the trial.
