Twenty-nine-year-old Timothy Kennedy, of Beech Creek, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a first-degree murder charge in front of Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Miki Thompson.
State Police said Kennedy ambushed Sgt. Cory Maynard and other troopers responding to a shots fired call last Friday in the Beech Creek area of Matewan.
The 37-year-old Maynard was shot in the incident and taken to Logan Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
Police say Kennedy was captured after a nearly seven-hour manhunt late that night. They say he also stole a vehicle before he was arrested.
Police say the shots fired call came after Benjamin Baldwin, 39, from Matewan, was shot with a rifle. Baldwin remains hospitalized, last reported on Monday in serious but stable condition, still in intensive care.
More charges involving Baldwin and the stolen vehicle are expected to be filed against Kennedy.
Kennedy remains jailed without bail. His preliminary hearing is set for Thursday where probable cause will be decided.
Trooper Maynard’s memorial service will take place Wednesday at Mingo Central High School.