WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A jury in Mingo County has found Timothy Kennedy guilty of first-degree murder in the 2023 death of West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard, who was shot after responding to a shooting call. The conviction caps a tense 10-day trial and highlights the tragic loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer.
Kennedy, 32, was also convicted on multiple other charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and disarming a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors argued that he ambushed Maynard, shooting him three times as the trooper responded to an emergency call on June 2, 2023, involving a civilian shooting.
The trial revealed chaotic events that unfolded on Beech Creek Drive. Maynard, 37, had nearly completed his shift when he and other officers responded to the scene, where a civilian, Benjamin Baldwin, had been shot. Despite his colleagues urging him to go home, Maynard insisted on assisting. Baldwin survived the attack but suffered significant injuries.
During the trial, witnesses testified that Kennedy concealed himself until Maynard arrived, at which point he fired upon the trooper with a long gun and subsequently attacked him with the firearm. Trooper Jonathan Ziegler described Kennedy’s assault as merciless, recounting the grievous nature of the attack. Efforts to save Maynard were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The defense presented an argument centered on Kennedy’s mental state, asserting that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and experiencing hallucinations during the incident. Kennedy himself testified that he could not recall the events, claiming that he was taken aback by footage of his actions. However, the prosecution emphasized his intent, pointing to overwhelming evidence, including witness testimonies and the nature of his actions leading up to the murder.
Over the course of the trial, jurors heard emotional accounts from those affected by the violence, including Baldwin, who detailed his painful recovery process. Despite the defense’s claims of drug-induced psychosis, the jury ultimately concluded that Kennedy acted with intent, rejecting the notion of mercy in their verdict.
Kennedy’s conviction carries severe legal repercussions, especially given West Virginia’s statutes on first-degree murder. His lack of a mercy recommendation from the jury means he is likely facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case also led to convictions related to Baldwin’s shooting and for the assault on another responding officer.
The impact of Maynard’s death resonated throughout the community and the state. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the slain trooper, who was remembered as a devoted husband and father. The events surrounding his death sparked widespread concern, leading to a significant manhunt for Kennedy that night and a flurry of support for Maynard’s family.
The courtroom was filled with law enforcement officials and community supporters when the verdict was announced, signifying the profound loss felt by many. Lonnie Faircloth, president of the West Virginia Troopers Association, voiced that the verdict, while a step toward justice, could not replace the life lost.
Kennedy is scheduled for sentencing in July 2026, as the proceedings move into the next phase following the convictions. With all five charges affirmed, he now faces the grim reality of responding for the irrevocable consequences of his actions.