HERMANN — The Missouri Attorney’s Office has added another member to its team as it prepares for the May 26 preliminary hearing of Kenneth Lee Simpson, the 35-year-old man charged with killing Hermann Det. Sgt. Mason Griffith and seriously wounding Hermann Patrolman Allen Sullentrup.

Simpson has been held in the Crawford County Jail since his arrest the day after the March 12 shooting that occurred in Casey’s General Store in Hermann.

Named to the state’s prosecution team is Kelly Lynn Snyder, who has offices in St. Louis. Snyder is listed as a special prosecutor and will join Assistant Attorney General Gregory Michael Goodwin and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, both of whom are listed as co-counsel for the preliminary hearing.

Simpson is being represented by 20th Circuit Public Defender Jeffrey Matthew Shellenbergar. The circuit’s Office of Public Defender is located in Union.

The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, May 26, in the first-floor courtroom of the Gasconade County courthouse. Circuit Court Associate Judge Matthew Houston will preside over the hearing. At the hearing, the state will present as much evidence as it feels is necessary — but not necessarily all the evidence it has — to show that it’s likely Simpson committed the crimes he is charged with. It will be up to Houston to determine if the state makes a convincing case and if the case should be bound over to Circuit Court for trial.

Simpson faces five felony charges: First-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and one weapons count.

Sullentrup, who was shot in the head, was treated at a St. Louis-area hospital and has recovered to the point where he is receiving rehabilitation services at a location in Colorado. Hermann city officials reported recently that Sullentrup is making good progress in his recovery.