By Staff
Former police chieftold to encumberhouses to post bail
By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
The combined bail for former Belhaven Police Chief George Hayden, charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Marine Corps Sgt. William “Billy” Miller in 1972, is set at $350,000.
Thursday morning, Onslow County District Court Judge Jim Moore set the bail on the murder charge at $250,000. Previously, a judge set Hayden’s bail on the charge of conspiracy to commit murder at $100,000.
At the Thursday hearing, the defense asked the state to consolidate the two cases and set bail for both charges at $100,000. In turn, the state requested bail be set at $1 million in the murder case.
Moore chose not to consolidate the two cases, resulting in the bail for both charges at a combined $350,000.
Mike Maultsby, an Onslow County assistant district attorney, attended the hearing.
According to Maultsby, Hayden’s defense attorneyrepresented that Hayden’s ex-wife and son were present at the bail hearing.
As part of his bail condition, Moore declared that Hayden must encumber his house near Belhaven and his son’s house in Cape Carteret, said Maultsby.
It was later revealed during the hearing that Hayden’s son lives in the Cape Carteret house with Hayden’s ex-wife, Maultsby said.
The assistant district attorney said it was not clear whether the equity from both houses would cover the overall bail.
Hayden can provide additional security with the help of a professional bondsman or other cash or property, said the assistant district attorney.
The next step in Hayden’s case will be to submit the case to a grand jury, said Maultsby.
Vickey Miller Babbitt, also charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the case, is expected to have her bond hearing soon.