By Michael Doti ,
1 hours ago
HILLSVILLE, Va. ( WFXR ) - After several continuances, the case against who killed Carroll County sheriff's deputy Logan Utt is through the preliminary hearing.
"Glad to have that behind us," Carroll County Commonwealth's Attorney Roger Brooks said. "Now the work begins."
On Thursday, a judge ruled there was enough evidence to pursue charges against Michael Puckett, who is accused of shooting and killing Utt and wounding his partner, deputy Michael Dean.
Dean was one of two witnesses to take the stand and recall the moments leading up to the shooting. According to his testimony, he and Utt were performing a welfare check on the evening of May 29, 2026.
CAPTURED: Man wanted in fatal shooting of Carroll County deputy Dean said he saw Puckett with a firearm before that suspect allegedly opened fire.
Special agent Travis Sykes with the Virginia State Police also offered details from the incident and from his interview with Puckett in a North Carolina jail. Sykes testified that Puckett confirmed he pulled the trigger a lot that night and fled the scene fearing incarceration.
Following the testimonies, the judge also gave prosecutors the green light to move ...