Accused Tumbler Ridge co-conspirator enters not guilty plea in U.S. court

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James Cody Bryant entered a "not guilty" plea in a Seattle courtroom Thursday, for the charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.

James Cody Bryant is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country

Caroline Barghout · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 22, 2026 12:25 PM EDT | Last Updated: 19 minutes ago

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A court sketch of a person with glasses and brown hair in court.

The American accused of conspiring to carry out the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., has entered a not guilty plea in a Seattle court.

James Cody Bryant, whose lawyers say goes by the name Melody and uses she/her pronouns, appeared at an arraignment hearing Thursday morning wearing an olive green prison-issued shirt and pants.

She was escorted in by a U.S. court martial. Bryant's hands were clasped in front of her, and she gave a slight smile and nodded to two friends sitting in the gallery.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg read the charge in court. Bryant didn’t say anything, but her lawyer entered a “not guilty” plea on her behalf.

Bryant, 30, is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A grand jury indicted Bryant last week. The trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 21.

More to come.