GREEN RIVER — Linda Malone pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to four charges filed against her during an arraignment in the Third Judicial District Court of Sweetwater County Monday morning.
Malone is accused of felony Murder in the Second Degree related to the death of her husband, John Malone, along with three charges of felony Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult related to alleged acts she committed prior to calling 911 to seek medical attention for her husband prior to her September 2025 arrest.
The Murder in the Second Degree charge carries a possible sentence of between 20 years and life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. Each Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Malone will need to undergo evaluations to identify if she has a mental illness that influenced her alleged acts. A trial date of March 1, 2027 has been set, though the date can be moved as the evaluation process continues. She was deemed fit to appear in person at her arraignment, telling the court she has difficulties hearing and seeing, but was capable of understanding the proceedings through assistance.
Malone is being held at the Sweetwater County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash or surety bond that was reinforced during the hearing. A question of where she would go if she could post bond was raised, with her attorney Gary Arnell saying the only place she could go is to her family in Arkansas. District Court Judge Suzzanah Robinson said if Malone is capable of raising her bond amount, there would need to be a hearing set to address where Malone could live.
