Smith pleads not guilty to murder charge

Murder suspect Gregory Smith, 30, briefly appeared in court Friday afternoon, pleading not guilty to the second-degree murder charge held against him.
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Smith pleads not guilty to murder charge By SAMANTHA TIGHE | Apr 25, 2015 Courtesy of: Sarah Priestap - Valley News Gregory Allen Smith looks over at the family of Wesley Wing during Smith's arraignment at Windsor Superior Court in White River Junction, Vt., on April 24, 2015. Smith pleaded not guilty to second degree murder charges associated with the shooting of Wesley Wing in Springfield, Vt., on April 18. Smith & Morris arraignment Wesley Wing's daughter, Casey WIng, 15, left, and his mother, Terry WIng, listen during the arraignment of Gregory Allen Smith at Windsor Superior Court in White River Junction, Vt., on April 24, 2015. Smith plead not guilty to 2nd Degree Murder charges associated with the shooting of Wesley Wing in Springfield, Vt., on April 18. (Courtesy of: Sarah Priestap - Valley News) View More... WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Murder suspect Gregory Smith, 30, briefly appeared in court Friday afternoon, pleading not guilty to the second-degree murder charge held against him. Smith’s appearance before the judge lasted a little more than one minute before he was ushered away by bailiffs. Judge Robert Gerety ruled there was enough probable cause and issued a pre-trial discovery order. Smith is being held without bail and housed at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield. As he left the courtroom, several friends and family members of Smith shouted versions of “Love you Greg” before being silenced by a nearby bailiff. “Folks, that’s enough,” the bailiff said. “Any more outbursts and you’ll be leaving the courtroom.” Smith is charged with killing of 27-year-old Springfield resident Wesley Wing on April 18, shooting him four times in the chest. Wing was later airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Girlfriend Wendy Morris, 25, was arraigned minutes later. Morris is being charged with felony accessory after the fact. She has pled not guilty. Much of the discussion in Morris’ arraignment was about her bail. Due to the fact that Morris does not have a criminal record, and that she has ties to the Springfield community, Gerety set bail at $10,000. “The court does consider this a serious charge, no doubt,” Gerety said. Smith and Morris were ordered to not have any contact with members of the Wing family. Wing’s wife and children sat in the audience during both arraignments. According to witnesses, Morris and Wing had gotten into an argument minutes before Wing was gunned down on South Street in Springfield last Saturday night, feet from Jake’s South Street Market. Wing was overheard telling Morris to "get her drugs out of the neighborhood." Police say Morris returned to her apartment, told Smith what had occurred and left the area to visit a friend in Ludlow. Police say Smith, driving a black Nissan Infinity, approached Wing. After a discussion, approximately five gunshots were heard. Despite being wanted for questioning by police, Smith evaded capture. First he stayed at friend’s house in Keene where he switched his Infinity for a white Buick Rendezvous. On the morning of April 20, police executed a search warrant at that residence. Smith, however, had already fled. Smith’s ex-girlfriend Kristin Walsh was charged with two felonies — preventing apprehension of a suspect and tampering with witnesses. Walsh’s friends and family deny her involvement in the case. Police eventually located and arrested Smith on April 23. He and Morris had been hiding in a camper located at Winhall Brook Camping Area in South Londonderry, Vt. According to an affidavit written by the Springfield Police Department, Morris had lied about her knowledge of Smith’s whereabouts, despite having been questioned by police several times. After her arrest on Thursday, police say Morris admitted to purchasing a new cellphone with the purpose of communicating with Smith and avoiding detection by law enforcement. Police say Morris’ brother owns the camping area. “While traveling to this camp Morris attempted to avoid law enforcement by taking several varying routes, pulling over and going to various stores as a means of counter surveillance,” the affidavit states. “… In furtherance of her efforts to avoid detection by law enforcement and conceal her activities she utilized other social media type applications to conceal her communication with Smith.” Morris’ next hearing is set for Sept. 8. Smith’s next appearance is not known at this time. Still rocked by the shooting, members of the Springfield community had planned a candlelight vigil in honor of Wing. It will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the lawn of The Maples located on South Street.