BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The court date for the man accused of killing West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard was postponed earlier this week so he could undergo a mental competency evaluation.
Timothy Kennedy, 29, of Matewan, was due back in court Tuesday, but the postponement was announced Monday.
Kennedy faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the June 2 shooting death of Maynard.
Kennedy was arrested just before 11 p.m. on the day of the shooting following an hours-long search. He was driving a stolen vehicle when he encountered a police roadblock on Beech Creek in the Matewan area.
The suspect was arraigned the following morning in Mingo County Magistrate Court. He also appeared in a bond hearing June 6 and pleaded not guilty.
The mental health evaluation will determine if Kenneth is competent to stand trial.
Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan “Duke” Jewell says Kenedy could face additional charges in connection with the shooting of a civilian, 39-year-old Benjamin Baldwin of Matewan. He could also face charges for allegedly stealing a car and resisting arrest.
Sgt. Maynard, 37, had been with the state police since Oct. 9, 2007. He was married, had two children, 13 and 9, and lived in Charleston.
Baldwin was the first shooting victim June 2 in Matewan, where Maynard was killed. He was rushed to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds after Kennedy allegedly shot him with a rifle. His family members recently told news sources that he had undergone multiple surgeries and remained on a ventilator in critical condition in Charleston.
