Charges Against Snoddy Moving Ahead Despite Death of Suspect

Kevin Justus

Court officials are still moving forward after murder defendant Buford Snoddy committed suicide Wednesday, as authorities await autopsy results for the next leg of their investigation.

By Kevin Justus
Published: July 25, 2008

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Charges against Buford Snoddy, murder suspect in the April 2007 death of his cousin, 47-year-old Katherine Hedrick, are still moving ahead said assistant district attorney C.C. Walker.

Snoddy, 61, was found dead Wednesday with a gun between his legs by his brother, Theodore.

Walker said the charges would be abated, meaning the defendant can't appear in court, but not dropped, according to reports from the Hendersonville Times-News. The Times-News is a coverage partner of News Channel 7.

Snoddy's son, Edward, also charged in the case, still faces a trial for accessory after the fact to murder, Walker said.

"The only thing legally that would prevent charges being pursued against an accessory to a crime would be an acquittal of the principle person charged," Walker said.

Walker said Buford Snoddy's death will make it harder to convict his son because his father cannot be tried and found guilty.