A Port Huron man accused of shooting three of his children and killing one was arraigned on 10 felonies in St. Clair County District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Jeffery James Smerer, 44, was formally charged with one count of open murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse and five counts of felony firearm use.
Smerer was arrested Thursday, Sept. 11 after police said he shot and killed his 17-year-old son. Two of his other children, a 13-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, were hospitalized with serious injuries. The 13-year-old has since been released from the hospital and the 12-year-old remains in stable condition, though she is reportedly paralyzed from her injuries.
During the arraignment, St. Clair County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Emily Donnellon said Smerer had admitted to the shooting when questioned by police and told them he had been planning the shooting for a week before it happened.
Smerer’s attorney, St. Clair County Assistant Public Defender John Przeslawski, asked the court to give Smerer a bond within his means to pay during the arraignment, noting that while the charges were serious they remain unproven.
Donnellon argued against bail, noting that Smerer was already out on bond for an indecent exposure case when the shooting occurred. Smerer was scheduled to be sentenced the same day as the shooting, but never appeared in court.
Magistrate Dennis Rickert agreed with the prosecution, denying Smerer bond. He also ordered Smerer to have no contact with the victims or his wife and oldest son, who were present during the shooting and reportedly struggled with him to prevent more injuries.
A probable cause conference in the case was scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 23, with a preliminary examination set for 10 a.m. Sept. 30.
If convicted, Smerer faces up to life in prison.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Prosecutor: Port Huron father planned shooting of his children for a week
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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