RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — Heather Hicks Auman made an appearance in court Wednesday at the Randolph County Courthouse. Auman is accused of killing her husband, longtime Seagrove firefighter 'MJ' Mishael James Auman.
Back in February, Auman was granted a $1 million bond.
The Randolph County Jail told WFMY News 2's Amber Lake that Auman was released from the jail on May 15th but remains under house arrest in Randolph County. Other conditions of her release ruled that Auman must wear an electronic monitoring device and surrender her passport.
In court, the judge ruled that Auman's case will go to trial, though a date was not set.
Previously, Heather, 37, had been confined to the Randolph County jail with no bond allowed.
WFMY News 2's Amber Lake spoke to Heather's attorney back in February, who said "they will be proving her innocence" when the case goes to trial. Heather will be pleading not guilty.
Heather Hicks Auman was in jail since June 29th, 2022.
Randolph County sheriff's deputies found MJ shot and unresponsive in the couple's home on Ridge Road on June 25. He was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive.
The state decided a few months ago that this is a non-capital case which means the death penalty is off the table.
In February, Heather's attorney explained that Heather Auman has been a lifelong resident of North Carolina. She was born in Thomasville and raised in Denton, North Carolina.
Heather worked as the Director of the water plant in Denton. The town manager of Denton, as well as the town attorney, were both present as well on her behalf.
Heather Auman has no criminal record. The town of Denton claims that she is an "incredible employee," according to her attorney. She has been working with the town since 2014.
Investigators said Heather made one of the 911 calls and told the operator that MJ shot himself. Detectives said they later determined Heather was the one who shot him. Four days later, she was arrested at her home and charged with first-degree murder.
The defense is arguing that MJ shot himself. However, the state said the gun was too far from MJ's body to be a suicide.
The Assistant DA said back in February that MJ was shot in the face. He also said findings show that there was no gun residue on MJ's body, which means the gun was not near the body when it went off.
The Assistant DA also said the gun used was Heather Auman's gun, which the state found strange, seeing that MJ Auman was found with his own gun - still on his waistband.
In February, the state and the defense went back and forth about infidelity in the relationship as well as marital issues involving MJ's now 11-year-old son.
Heather’s attorney says that Heather Auman is not a flight risk and requested a low bond. The state disagreed saying not only is she a flight risk, but she is dangerous to the community.
The judge granted a 1 million dollar secured bond which Auman posted in May.
If she is convicted of the first-degree murder charge, she will face life in prison without parole.
MJ served the Seagrove community for more than 20 years. He leaves behind an 11-year-old son, whom he shared with his previous spouse.
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