What happened at the first court appearance for man accused of killing trooper
Several members of the law enforcement community attended the hearing, along with members of Trooper Hayden Phillips’ family, including his wife, Jordan.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A Tennessee man accused of killing a Kentucky State Police trooper was denied bail Tuesday morning during his first appearance before a Warren County judge.
Emmonie D. Branch, 51, was wheeled into the district courtroom by a uniformed state trooper and surrounded by bailiffs with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
Several members of the law enforcement community attended the hearing, along with members of Trooper Hayden Phillips’ family, including his wife, Jordan.
Brennan Crain
As Branch entered the courtroom in a wheelchair, Jordan Phillips placed her hand over her chest and stared at him with a blank expression. A friend seated beside her consoled her.
When Judge Kimberly Geoghegan read Branch’s name, Jordan Phillips began to cry and leaned on her friend.
Geoghegan informed Branch of his rights and told him he is charged with murder of a first responder in connection with Phillips’ death.
Branch remained seated in his wheelchair and did not speak during the hearing except to tell the judge he needed an attorney.
The judge read from the criminal complaint filed against Branch, which she said indicated the encounter was captured on video. She appointed an attorney from the Department of Public Advocacy to represent him.
Prosecutor Kori Bumgarner argued against granting Branch bail, saying his actions Monday indicated he was at risk of fleeing again. She also said Branch had given police a false name during their interactions with him.
“He is most definitely a danger to our community, and others, and we’d ask for a substantial cash bond,” Bumgarner said.
Bumgarner also cited what she described as Branch’s “very extensive and varied” criminal history, including fraudulent acts involving security sales purchases, domestic assault on a juvenile and drug trafficking.
She also said she had reason to believe Branch had pleaded guilty to a robbery in which he used a firearm.
Brennan Crain
Branch’s newly appointed defense attorney reserved arguments about bond until the preliminary hearing, scheduled for Friday at 8:45 a.m.
A preliminary hearing allows a judge to determine whether probable cause exists for the case to proceed.
Branch also had an extradition warrant from Tennessee stemming from a probation violation. Court records there show he was serving a five-year probation sentence in a fraud-related case.
Phillips was a three-year veteran of Kentucky State Police and lived in Barren County. He previously worked for Glasgow Police Department.
