UPDATE:
Judge John Trice determined this afternoon that prosecutors presented enough evidence to warrant a trial in the case against Steven Smith.
Published: 1:20 pm Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Updated: 11:16 pm Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Steven Smith will be tried on charges relating to shooting of pregnant woman
Smith is accused of two counts of attempted premeditated murder and a burglary allegation. The two charges of attempted murder are for allegedly attempting to kill a woman and her unborn child.
Defense lawyer Ilan Funke-Bilu said that he’ll seek a bail reduction for his client at the next hearing on Jan. 12. Smith currently is in custody in County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Original story:
A Paso Robles Police detective testified today that a San Miguel man admitted to firing shots at a pregnant woman who said she was his girlfriend.
Officer Michael Rickerd said Steven Smith, 26, told him the victim sent several text messages to him before he entered her Paso Robles home the night of Nov. 6.
Rickerd said Smith told police he entered the home with a .22-caliber pistol in his front pant pocket, told her to lie down to “give her some loving,” then fired the shots.
Police reportedly found the 34-year-old woman in her Paso Robles home conscious after being shot several times. Her 15-year-old daughter, who was in the home at the time, had called 911.
In testimony in Superior Court this morning, Officer Todd Rehner said the victim also said Smith told her to lie down so he could “give her some loving” before he held a pillow over her face and fired the gun.
Police are not disclosing the woman's name because she is believed to be a victim of domestic violence.
The woman was taken to Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton. Police have said the woman and baby are expected to survive.
Smith was suspended last month from his role as a volunteer assistant football coach at Paso Robles High School, where he had passed a criminal background check about five years ago.
The preliminary hearing continues this afternoon.
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