Suspect in missing hiker case is denied bond

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Suspect in missing hiker case is denied bond

Gary Michael Hilton appears before a judge in the case of missing hiker Meredith Emerson.

Union County Magistrate Judge Johnie Garmon reads the charges against Gary Michael Hilton during his first appearance in Blairsville. Garmon denied bond for Hilton and said Union County District Attorney Stan Gunter, who is prosecuting the case, would take the case to the grand jury.

Gary Michael Hilton talks with assistant public defender Neil Smith during his arraignment hearing Monday at the Union County Magistrate Court in Blairsville. The 61-year-old man is charged with kidnapping and bodily injury in the case of missing hiker Meredith Emerson. Smith answered the judge's questions to Hilton. Smith said he was not prepared to comment on the case, but that he would continue to represent Hilton, as far as he knew.

Authorities Monday were checking to see whether three North Georgia missing persons cases -- two from recent weeks and one from nearly four years ago-- were linked to Hilton.

That day, Hilton said that he told Emerson "she was going home.... I said 'I'm giving you all your stuff back.' I had all her stuff bagged up together. I made a point of showing her." They drove to the spot where he would kill her. On the way, they passed a law enforcement officer. "I waved at him," Hilton said. "It was that close."

Union County Sheriff's Deputy John McCoy leads Gary Michael Hilton out of Magistrate Court following Hilton's hearing. Following the hearing, Union County District Attorney Stan Gunter said that, based on Hilton's and his public defender's limited responses, he expects the defense to enter an insanity plea for Hilton.

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Union County Magistrate Judge Johnie Garmon reads the charges against Gary Michael Hilton during his first appearance in Blairsville. Garmon denied bond for Hilton and said Union County District Attorney Stan Gunter, who is prosecuting the case, would take the case to the grand jury.

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