Trooper's body cam footage admissible in murder trial

Jurors will see bodycam footage in the trial of Timothy Kennedy, accused of ambushing and fatally shooting WV State Trooper Sgt. Cory Maynard in 2023.

WILLIAMSON In Mingo County, a judge has ruled that jurors will be allowed to see body camera footage in the upcoming murder trial of a man accused of killing a West Virginia State Trooper.

The accused, 31-year-old Timothy Kennedy, is charged with fatally shooting West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard during a 2023 Ambush on Beech Creek. Kennedy was arrested following a massive manhunt. Kennedy has also been charged with injuring another person during his alleged crime spree.

Circuit Judge Joshua Butcher ruled the footage, captured by Sgt. Maynard’s own body camera, will be presented to the jury during trial.

The defense had asked the judge to exclude the video, offering to stipulate that Kennedy shot Maynard and took his service weapon. Despite that, the Judge sided with prosecutors who argued the video is critical evidence.

The defense is expected to argue that Kennedy acted in self-defense and was under the influence of drugs at the time, which they claim impaired his judgment.

His trial is set to begin December 8th.

PHOTO | MGN