WILLIAMSON, W.Va. –The trial in Mingo County for the man accused of killing a state police trooper in June 2023 continued Wednesday, with the defendant taking the stand in his own defense on the seventh day of testimony.
Timothy Kennedy, 32, of Matewan is accused of shooting and killing Sgt. Cory Maynard, while he was responding to another shooting in the Beech Creek area. Kennedy faces charges of murder, first-degree robbery, disarming a law enforcement officer, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Wednesday afternoon the jury heard from Kennedy. He said that drugs like meth gave him bizarre hallucinations. His defense attorneys say that Kennedy lacked the required intent for first-degree murder due to issues with substance abuse.
Kennedy also testified about shooting Ben Baldwin that same day, which was the shooting Maynard was responding to. Kennedy said that shooting was self-defense, saying that Baldwin had previously threatened him with a gun.
Prior to Kennedy testifying, his mother and sisters took the stand in his defense. They all three talked about his drug use, with his sisters saying that when he was high, he acted paranoid, hallucinated, and heard voices.
Monday, Kennedy’s father also testified about his drug use, saying he was a drug addict and had overdosed just two days prior to the shooting.
The prosecution rested their case Friday, after the jury heard from West Virginia State Police officer, expert witnesses regarding DNA evidence and Kennedy’s mental state. Baldwin, the man from the first shooting, also testified.
If Kennedy is convicted of murder in connection with Maynard’s death, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.