Dye pleads not guilty in death of baby

THOMPSON FALLS – Gunner McKenley Dye appeared in Sanders County District Court on Tuesday morning to enter a not guilty plea to Judge James A. Manley.

Dye was present on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 12, in the county courthouse and was accompanied by his defense attorney, Ashley Morigeau.

Speaking on behalf of her client, Morigeau entered a not guilty plea.

In an affidavit filed by Sanders County Attorney Robert L. Zimmerman, Dye is charged with deliberate homicide, a felony which is punishable by death, by life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 10 years or more than 100 years, in the death of his three month old son, Shane Gabriel-Leon Dye.

Morigeau filed an acknowledgment of rights on behalf of the defendant on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

After hearing the not guilty plea Judge Manley scheduled the case to be tried in front of the district court on November 10, 2014.

Judge Manley set the omnibus hearing for Sept. 23, 2014.

Manley noted the complexity of the case might result in the defense requiring more time to prepare for the omnibus hearing; a development the judge informed the defendant’s counsel was prepared for.

“I realize that the omnibus hearing might be precipitous for a complicated case like this, so if you need additional time you can expect that request to be granted,” Manley said.

Before the court proceeded with other hearings scheduled for the morning session, the State, represented by Zimmerman stated it had provided counsel with a list of proposed conditions Dye would have to abide by if he posted bail.

Attorney Morigeau stated the defense agreed to the conditions set forth by the prosecutor but informed Judge Manley she and her client would like to reserve the right to argue the current bail at a later date.

Judge Manley acknowledged this right and confirmed both the prosecution and defense teams were in agreement on the proposed conditions, aside from the amount at which bail has been set at.

Dye did not speak during the court proceedings but listened closely to the exchange between the judge and attorneys.

 Following his appearance he sat with his head down, his long hair covering his face until members of the Sanders County Sheriff’s Department escorted him from the courtroom.

The court affidavit filed by Zimmerman, states the cause of the baby’s death was determined to be craniocereberal and cervical trauma, injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.  The medical examiner cited in the affidavit believed the injuries were the result of an assault.