Madison man enters plea in murder of Ky. soldier

DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Madison man pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder, aggravated attempted murder, robbery and elevated aggravated assault in connection with the October shooting death of a U.S. soldier from Kentucky and the subsequent assault on another soldier.

Chad Slimm, 20, entered the pleas to the combined Piscataquis and Somerset county charges, before Chief Justice Nancy Mills in Piscataquis County Superior Court. Slimm, who is represented by Bangor attorney Jeffrey Silverstein, was denied bail.

Slimm, along with Arthur D. Belanger Jr., 21, also of Madison, were indicted for murder in connection with the Oct. 6 death of Brian Vines, 23, an active-duty soldier from Fort Campbell, Ky. Vines, whose body was found at a Parkman camp 10 days after his death, had been shot four times. Vines was in Maine to visit Belanger, who had served with Vines at Fort Campbell.

The two men also were indicted in Somerset County on aggravated attempted murder, robbery and elevated aggravated assault in connection to an Oct. 16 assault in an Anson gravel pit on another soldier from Fort Campbell. Michael Giles told police that Belanger Maced him and Slimm struck him in the face with a flashlight in an attempt to kill him because he had learned that the pair had killed Vines. Giles, who managed to escape, later led police to Vines’ body in Parkman.

A third man, Steven Quirion, no age available, from Madison, also has been charged with robbery and elevated aggravated assault in connection with the gravel pit incident. Quirion is expected to enter a plea Jan. 23 in Somerset County Superior Court.

In addition to Slimm’s arraignment Thursday, a bail hearing was held to determine whether Slimm should be freed pending trial.

Mills found that Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson and his witness, Detective Darryl Peary of the Maine State Police, presented clear and convincing evidence that Slimm posed a substantial risk of flight and a substantial risk that he could harm others should he be freed pending trial. She denied bail on the murder charge but set bail on the remaining charges of $100,000 single surety or $50,000 cash with conditions. Slimm was returned to the Piscataquis County Jail.