CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Judge Joshua Butcher declared a mistrial in the murder case of Timothy Kennedy after determining that a juror committed misconduct.

Kennedy faces charges in the June 2023 killing of West Virginia State Trooper Cory Maynard. Jury selection began Monday, Dec. 1, but after three and a half days of questioning more than 100 prospective jurors, Judge Butcher ended the proceedings Thursday.

Officials did not release details about the misconduct.

A grand jury indicted Kennedy in January 2024 on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, attempted disarming of a police officer and two counts of attempted murder. The trial had been scheduled to begin Monday, Dec. 8, but the mistrial pushes the case to the next term in 2026.

Attorneys for both sides will meet soon to select a new trial date. Kennedy’s defense team has already requested a change of venue, potentially to McDowell County.