Sayville Grad Pleads Not Guilty to Role in Pharmacy Murders

The wife of pharmacy killer David Laffer pleaded not guilty in a Central Islip court Friday morning to charges of robbery and obstructing governmental administration. 

Those charges against Melinda Brady, a 2000 graduate, are "very likely" to upgraded, prosecutors said, as the 29-year-old was ordered held on $750,000 cash or $1.5 million bond. 

Assistant District Attorney James Chalifoux said Brady had admitted her role in "the most horrific and chilling robbery-homicide in Suffolk County history."

"Her co-defendant murdered four people," Chalifoux said of Brady, in pushing for a high bail.

Brady, who police say drove Laffer to and from Haven Drugs Sunday morning in a robbery that left four people , was in the courtroom less than five minutes Friday. 

Brady, wearing a bright yellow t-shirt and black shorts, darted a few glances toward the crowd as she was escorted before the bench of District Court Judge Toni Beam.

Jeremy Mis, Brady's legal aid attorney, argued that considering the current charges against his client, bail should be set at a "reasonable" sum.

"She has not been accused of murder and therefore bail must be set on those charges and those charges alone," Mis said.

Outside the courtroom, Chalifoux explained the details behind the obstruction charge against Brady.

"She grabbed one of the officer's legs and tried to prevent the arrest of David Laffer," Chalifoux said, referring to police the Laffer's Medford home Wednesday morning after a three-day manhunt. 

Chalifoux would not comment on possible charges against Laffer's mother, Pam Laffer, a computer aide at Medford Elementary School, who shared her home on Pitchpine Place with her son and daughter-in-law.  

Brady has reportedly said Laffer robbed the drugstore because he had recently lost his job and she had health problems. She some of her health issues and her use of painkillers on a local wedding website prior to her 2009 marriage to Laffer. 

Laffer not guilty to first degree murder and resisting arrest on Thursday. He is being held without bail.