Man Accused of Killing West Virginia State Trooper Denied Bond

Bayliss acknowledged the severity of the charges against Kennedy and noted that he has been held in jail since June. Bayliss argued that Kennedy does not pose a flight risk and does not have the means or a passport to flee. However, Kennedy has not been indicted in the case, and the murder charge was bound over from magistrate court a week after his arrest.

Bayliss also expressed concerns about Kennedy's mental health, stating that he has a history of mental illness or disability, including ADHD. He mentioned that Kennedy's isolation while incarcerated exacerbates his problems. Bayliss shared an incident from 2020 when Kennedy was trapped in an abandoned coal mine for five days, highlighting the impact on his psychological well-being.

When asked about Kennedy being trapped in the mine, Bayliss explained that he was a trespasser and that a substantial rescue effort was made by other individuals with him, who alerted authorities about his whereabouts. Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan "Duke" Jewell objected to bond being set, claiming that there is evidence of flight and that Kennedy was in the mine to steal copper. Jewell described the events leading up to Maynard's death, stating that Kennedy shot both Maynard and another person in an attempt to avoid capture and arrest.

Jewell mentioned that the case will soon be presented to a grand jury and emphasized the strength of the state's case, including the existence of body camera footage capturing a significant portion of the incident with the use of a firearm.

Judge Thompson ultimately decided not to set bond, citing Kennedy's attempt to flee and the concern for public safety if he were released. Thompson declared it a public safety issue and denied Kennedy bond at this time. Kennedy is currently being held at the Western Regional Jail.