A Hardwick man has denied being part of a deadly drug conspiracy

BURLINGTON — A Hardwick man, who authorities maintain witnessed a double homicide of two drug dealers in Orleans County last fall, has denied being part of a deadly drug conspiracy. Justin “J.D.” Douglass, 37, entered his not-guilty plea in U.S. District Court on Tuesday afternoon. He had appeared for his initial court hearing last week, but it was interrupted because Douglass was continuing to go through a drug withdrawal. When the hearing resumed Tuesday, Vermont’s full-time Magistrate Judge, Kevin J. Doyle, was back at the helm and accepted the not-guilty plea. Douglass’ lawyer asked for 60 days to review the evidence and consider pre-trial motions. Doyle set a deadline for Dec. 2.