Fort Stewart Militia Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

An accused Fort Stewart militia member pleaded not guilty to murder charges at an arraignment Thursday in Long County, according to a Coastal Courier report.

Salmon was arraigned on 13 charges, including malice murder and felony murder. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Salmon is the wife of Pvt. Christopher Salmon, who, along with Pvt. Isaac Aguigui and Sgt. Anthony Peden, is currently awaiting trial for the December 2011 slayings of former Fort Stewart soldier Michael Roark and Roark's girlfriend, 17-year-old Tiffany York. A fourth soldier, Pfc. Michael Burnett, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges and agreed to testify against the others.

Prosecutors say Aguigui ordered the murders because he was afraid Roark, a former member of the group, might betray its plans to authorities. Christopher Salmon and Peden are accused of actually carrying out the killings.

At Thursday's arraignment, Heather Salmon's attorney asked the court to reconsider an earlier ruling denying bail, according to the Courier. However, prosecutor Isabel Pauley said that the DA's office was strongly against bail, calling Heather Salmon a flight risk and alleging that she was one of the highest-ranking members of the militia, serving as its chief financial officer.

Long County Superior Court Judge Robert Russell denied bail.

Visit the Fort Stewart militia topic page for more information on this case.

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