A McKinleyville man suspected of shooting two people to death and wounding two others pleaded not guilty today to charges that could put him prison for life without parole.

Albers.

Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo entered the pleas on behalf of 41-year-old Russell Martin Albers, charged with murdering Jennifer Paddock, 42, and Daniel Garcia, 51, on Tuesday morning in their home at 4800 block of Crane St. in Eureka. Two other women in the house were wounded by gunfire and are in local hospitals.

Paddock and Garcia were the parents of a 4-year-old girl who was there during the shootings but was not injured. Police said she was turned over to Child Welfare Services.

Judge Kelly Neel advised Albers today that he is charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a firearm. He is additionally charged with kidnapping (of one of the victims he dropped off at a hospital), domestic-violence battery, first-degree burglary, child endangerment, auto theft, recklessly fleeing from police officers and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nearly all the charges carry special allegations involving use of a firearm or inflicting great bodily injury.

The District Attorney’s Office also alleges the special circumstance of committing multiple murders, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.

Today Albers, who was arrested Wednesday after a high-speed chase, sat with his head down during the entire arraignment.

Asked if he had the money to hire a lawyer, Albers said he was planning to hire local attorney Ben Okin. The court clerk then contacted Okin’s office.

“Mr. Albers,” Judge Neel said, “Mr. Okin’s office indicates that they will not be accepting the case.”

Outside court the assigned prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal, declined comment on the relationship between Albers and the alleged victims. He also would not comment on why Albers is charged with stealing a white BMW when he was caught in a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Albers is being held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9, though it’s highly unlikely it will proceed on that day. Bernthal told the judge the investigation is ongoing and new evidence will be coming in for some time.

The hearing is expected to take two days, Bernthal said.

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