Shires Housekeeper Pleads Not Guilty Monday

The housekeeper of murder victim Ray Shires pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of forgery and grand theft during her arraignment in Calaveras County Superior Court.

42-year-old Patricia Anne Ordway had been Shires´s housekeeper since earlier this summer, and was arrested last week on charges that she forged his name on a 2500 dollar check. Officials believe she may have stolen even more.

On September 17th, the body of Shires was found beaten to death in Avery.

Soon after, Shires´s wallet and checkbook were found near Highway 4 east of Angels Camp, along with a carpenter´s hammer which investigators think may have been the murder weapon.

Bail for Ordway has been set at 500-thousand dollars due to the continuing investigation, and officials´ beliefs that she was involved in the beating death.

Up next for Ordway: a preliminary hearing on the theft charges, scheduled for October 12th.