BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Prosecutor Kori Beck Bumgarner pledged Friday to handle the case against the man accused of killing Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips with “the seriousness and the diligence that justice demands.”

Emonnie D. Branch Sr., 51, was indicted Thursday on three felony charges in Phillips’ killing: murder of a first responder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and tampering with physical evidence.

The murder of a first responder charge is a capital offense under Kentucky law and carries a sentence of either death or life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole.

Warrant details moments before Trooper Phillips was shot

According to court records, the shooting was captured on camera before the suspect drove away.

BarrensideBrennan Crain

Bumgarner has not said whether she will seek the death penalty in Branch’s case. She did not take questions from reporters Friday during remarks at Hillvue Heights Church on Nashville Road.

“As a prosecutor, I am bound by a set of ethical rules. Because of those rules, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the factual basis surrounding the allegations in this indictment,” Bumgarner said.

Bumgarner is the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Kentucky’s 8th Judicial Circuit, which includes Warren and Edmonson counties. She is prosecuting the case because Phillips was killed in Smiths Grove, which falls within her jurisdiction.

“What I do want my community to know is that I am committed to this case, my ethical obligations and the integrity of the judicial process,” she said.

Branch had previously been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in district court. At that hearing, a judge would have considered whether probable cause existed to send the case to a grand jury.

Instead, the Warren County grand jury indicted Branch Thursday, meaning the felony case will proceed in circuit court.

Branch is scheduled to appear for arraignment before Judge J.B. Hines on Oct. 27, when he is expected to enter a formal plea. The case could proceed to trial, although a later plea agreement remains possible.

What we know about the suspect in Trooper Hayden Phillips’ shooting

Records from the Tennessee Department of Correction show Branch was serving a five-year probation sentence when he was arrested Monday.

BarrensideBrennan Crain

Branch is accused of the charges but has not been convicted. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bumgarner said her office will not comment on the factual basis of the allegations while the case proceeds.

“My office will treat this case with the seriousness and the diligence that justice demands,” Bumgarner said.

Tennessee warrant

Branch also appeared Friday for an extradition hearing in district court related to an outstanding warrant in Tennessee for an alleged probation violation.

Warren County Jailer Stephen Harmon told Barrenside that because Branch waived extradition, he will remain in Kentucky custody until the murder case is resolved.

Branch was already serving a five-year probation sentence for a securities fraud conviction, according to court records.