LUMBERTON — A Robeson County judge on Thursday lowered the bond for a woman accused of killing two people in a traffic crash involving a car and two motorcycles that rocked the Pembroke community 13 months ago.

Judge Frank Floyd lowered the bond for Julie Shaw Miller, 41, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., to $300,000. The bond was originally set at $1.25 million when Miller was arrested in June 2009, and was later lowered to $500,000. Miller remained behind bars this morning at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh.

Miller, who was not present Thursday, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury. The manslaughter charges were changed to two counts of second-degree murder, according to Assistant District Attorney Joe Osman.

The crash killed Virginia Carol Locklear, 37, of Lumberton, and Marie D. Locklear, 49, of Pembroke, on June 12, 2009. A third person, Frederick M. Locklear, 37, of Maxton, was hospitalized but did survive.

The three victims were riding motorcycles along Third Street when they were struck by a four-door white Saturn traveling west in excess of 100 mph at about 11:04 p.m., according to police.

During Thursday’s nearly hourlong hearing, Miller’s attorney, Troy Peters, argued that if she stays at the facility in Raleigh, within three to four months she will not have the mental capacity to withstand a trial. Peters claims the facility is excessively hot even when the outside temperature isn’t scorching and the heat will only add to her mental deterioration.

Miller is going through a divorce and Peters believes additional stress may be avoided if his client is removed from the state facility.

Peters asked the judge to lower Miller’s bond to $75,000.

Peters also hoped to get Miller out and have an electric tracking band placed on her, which would not enable her to drive but would allow her to get out for doctor’s appointments.

Judge Floyd said he was not ready to release someone who may be “nearing mental incompetency” who was “accused of driving 100 mph through Pembroke and killing two people.”

Osman objected to Miller's release. He argued that Miller, who is not a resident of North Carolina, is a flight risk, and should not be allowed to be out on her own.

Osman said that Miller, who served in the U.S. military in the intelligence branch, has the mental acumen to flee.

Miller was driving at more than 100 mph on Third Street when her car hit a railroad crossing and became airborne, slamming into two motorcycles, according to investigators.

Miller suffered minor cuts and scrapes. She was treated and released at the hospital in Lumberton and taken by Pembroke police to the Robeson County jail.

Police said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

According to initial reports, the night of the incident she told police that she had no memory of the crash, and she only remembered being behind the wheel and seeing a sign that said “Clarkton.”

No trial date has been set.