Two men indicted in soldier’s murder

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Two Madison men were indicted Monday in connection with the murder of a U.S. soldier at a hunting camp in Parkman in October.

A grand jury sitting in Piscataquis County Superior Court indicted Chad M. Slimm, 20, and Arthur D. Belanger Jr., 21, on murder charges stemming from the shooting of Brian Vines, a 23-year-old active-duty soldier from Fort Campbell, Ky. Vines came to Maine to visit Belanger, who reportedly served with Vines at Fort Campbell.

Vines was shot four times, twice in the head, according to officials.

The pair also were indicted on Dec. 18 in Somerset Superior Court for aggravated attempted murder, robbery and elevated aggravated assault in an incident apparently meant to cover up Vines’ murder.

The Somerset indictments stem from an assault on Michael Giles, also of Fort Campbell, that took place in an Anson gravel pit on Oct. 16, the same day Giles walked out of the woods and led police to the hunting camp in Parkman where Vines’ body was located. Giles believed the pair had attempted to kill him because he knew of the earlier murder.

Slimm and Belanger are to make their initial court appearances on the Somerset County indictments Jan. 23. No date has been set for the initial court appearances on the Piscataquis County indictments, although it was believed the pair were to have been arraigned Monday. Family members of the pair were in court but left when officials notified them the men would not appear.

Also indicted Monday in Piscataquis County Superior Court were:

Nathan Dilworth, 25, Lewiston, burglary and theft.

Darrin P. Cail, 19, Brownville, trafficking in prison contraband.

Donald A. Fillmore, 27, Guilford, aggravated criminal trespass, two counts assault, criminal mischief and terrorizing.

Loney C. Parilla, 27, Sangerville, aggravated criminal trespass, two counts assault, criminal mischief and terrorizing.