BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The man accused in last summer’s ambush shooting death of West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard faces a multi-count indictment. This came after a recent Mingo County grand jury convened at the courthouse in Williamson.
Timothy Kennedy, 29, of Matewan, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, disarming a law enforcement officer and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Here is the list of charges Kennedy was indicted on:
• First-degree murder (of Sgt. Maynard)
• Attempted murder (of a civilian)
• Attempted murder (of another trooper)
• Armed robbery (of Sgt. Maynard)
• Disarming a police officer (Sgt. Maynard)
Kennedy has been in custody since shortly after the June 2, 2023, shooting in the Beech Creek area.
Maynard, 37, a husband and father of two young children, was killed in an ambush attack after responding to a 911 call. He worked out of the Williamson Detachment.
Sgt. Maynard and another trooper were ambushed in a remote area on Beech Creek. A huge manhunt ensued and Kennedy was captured later that night after alluding police officers for several hours.
The state troopers responded to Beech Creek after getting a call about a shooting. Authorities said Kennedy also shot Benjamin Baldwin, 39, of Matewan, with a rifle.
Kennedy is expected to be arraigned in the days ahead. A trial date will then be scheduled. Kennedy is being held without bond in the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden.
The accused reportedly has a long criminal history and had previously been arrested at least twice over the years in Mingo County.
A judge previously found Kennedy competent to stand trial.
The West Virginia State Supreme Court has granted a Mingo County judge’s request to be recused from Kennedy’s murder case. Mingo County Circuit Judge Miki Thompson of the 13th Judicial Circuit sent a letter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals in November 2023, stating that she wanted to voluntarily recuse herself from presiding over the case.
The Supreme Court of Appeals said in an administrative order that Thompson’s reasons for the request had been reviewed and deemed warranted.
Logan County Judge Joshua Butcher has now been assigned to take over the case, court officials say.