PREVIOUSLY:

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Judge Timothy Canning refused today to release attempted-murder suspect Jason Edward Smith, charged with shooting a man during a residential robbery two weeks ago in Arcata.

Smith, a 38-year-old Hoopa resident, was arrested Aug. 30 and had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing this afternoon. Canning granted a defense request for a continuance of the hearing but refused Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke’s request to release Smith from custody.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal argued Smith is looking at a possible 20-plus years in prison.

“He is a multiple-conviction felon who’s been charged with attempted murder with a firearm,” Bernthal said. “He’s a danger to public safety.”

Smith and two women — 45-year-old Michelle Lee Odjick of Willow Creek and 31-year-old Kimberly Ann Yale of Hoopa — were allegedly involved in the Aug. 27 robbery at an apartment on L Street in Arcata. During the robbery the apartment resident was shot and taken to Mad River Community Hospital for treatment.

Odjick and Yale were freed from jail last week on supervised release. Today both were waiting outside Canning’s courtroom in case the preliminary hearing went forward.

Although the hearing was live-streamed on You Tube, Smith was not on video. Canning, at Van Dyke’s request, ruled he could not be shown on camera.

The preliminary hearing is now set for Oct. 8.

Smith is charged with attempted murder, assault with a firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Two special allegations are use of a firearm during a felony and personally and intentionally discharging a firearm.

According to Arcata police, detectives interviewed “multiple witnesses” about the shooting and robbery. APD, with aid from the Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol, arrested Smith about midnight Aug. 30 on Valley West Boulevard in Arcata. The two women were arrested shortly after the alleged robbery.

Odjick is represented by Deputy Public Defender Jenny Stepanian and Yale by attorney Joe Judge.