The preliminary hearing for the man accused in the murder of Nicholas County Deputy Thomas Baker has once again been moved – this time to August. Both the defense and the prosecution came to a joint decision to move the hearing for Brent Tyler Kelly as she says both sides requested more time for the investigation. Kelly and another man Ritchie Holcomb were allegedly involved in a shootout in Birch River that killed Deputy Tom Baker and injured Corporal Josh Ellison in early June.
Holcomb was also shot and killed in the shootout and found with a semi-automatic rifle. Kelly later surrendered and was taken into custody and charged with murder. WCHS TV reported that due to scheduling conflicts, both parties will not be able to meeting again until August 4 at 2:30 p.m. for the new preliminary hearing.