Warren County Grand Jury Indicts Emonnie Branch in Trooper Hayden Phillips’ Death

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A Warren County grand jury has indicted the Tennessee man accused of shooting and killing Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips. Warren County Grand Jury Indicts Emonnie Branch in Trooper Hayden Phillips’ Death

Fifty-one-year-old Emonnie Branch, of Portland, Tennessee, was indicted Thursday on charges of murder of a first responder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and tampering with physical evidence.

His case has been transferred to Warren Circuit Court, where he is scheduled to be arraigned October 12th. A previously scheduled Friday court appearance has been replaced by that hearing. Branch remains held without bond.

Phillips stopped a vehicle around two Monday afternoon on Interstate 65 in Warren County. A criminal complaint says the vehicle had an expired temporary tag. Branch is accused of shooting Phillips during the stop, then fleeing. Louisville Metro Police arrested Branch later that day.

A Russell County native and 2016 graduate of Russell County High School, Hayden Phillips previously served with the Russell Springs and Glasgow police departments before joining state police.