BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., the man accused of killing one deputy and injuring another, appeared in court for the first time Thursday morning.
DeHart Jr. was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon.
The charges stem from what police said happened during a traffic stop on Sevierville Road in Blount County. DeHart Jr. is accused of shooting and killing Deputy Greg McCowan and shooting Deputy Shelby Eggers.
DeHart Jr. told the court he did not have representation at the time of the hearing and a public defender was assigned to him by Blount Sessions Court Judge William K. Brewer.
District Public Defender Mack Garner said DeHart Jr.'s family is exploring the possibility of hiring an attorney to represent DeHart Jr. instead.
WBIR obtained DeHart Jr.'s arrest warrant following the hearing. According to the warrant, DeHart Jr. was convicted of felony aggravated assault in Blount County in 2002.
The public heard from DeHart Jr. for the first time since the shooting at the hearing. A woman in the courtroom told him she loved him when he entered.
"I love you too," DeHart Jr. said. "...you my baby, I love you, I love you."
WBIR spoke to the woman, who declined to be named but identified DeHart Jr. as her uncle, outside of the hearing. She called for the body camera video during the shooting to be released.
DeHart Jr. is set to be in court on Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. for his next hearing.
DeHart Jr.'s brother, Marcus Dehart, who was arrested in connection with aiding Kenneth, will appear in court next on March 25 at 1:30 p.m. The Blount County Clerk's office confirmed Marcus bonded out of jail.