The American accused of conspiring to carry out the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., has entered a not guilty plea in a Seattle court.
James Cody Bryant, whose lawyers say goes by the name Melody and uses she/her pronouns, appeared at an arraignment hearing Thursday morning wearing an olive green prison-issued shirt and pants.
She was escorted in by a U.S. court martial. Bryant’s hands were clasped in front of her, and she gave a slight smile and nodded to two friends sitting in the gallery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg read the charge in court. Bryant didn’t say anything, but her lawyer entered a “not guilty” plea on her behalf.
Bryant, 30, is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
A grand jury indicted Bryant last week. The trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 21.
More to come.
