On Wednesday, the man who is charged with stealing a car, hitting an officer with a hammer, and robbing two banks in less than seventy minutes virtually appeared in circuit court for his preliminary hearing.
Cheyenne resident Eric Smith, 34, was seen for two concerns. The first involved his attempt on July 29 while he was in the Laramie County jail to harm a deputy, and the second addressed the counts of felony aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and interference with a peace officer that led in injury that he was detained for on July 25.
Maintaining the $10,000 cash bond issued for interfering with a police officer and the $100,000 cash-only bond set for Smith’s initial offenses, Magistrate Caitlin Harper bound his case up to Laramie County District Court.
At first, Smith insisted on making his in-person appearances as requested. He did, however, forfeit his right to make an in-person appearance as soon as it became apparent that the hearing would need to be delayed to allow for that request.
Smith persisted in being unruly throughout Wednesday’s court hearing, interjecting frequently and requiring Harper to remind him that Sierra Soule, his court-appointed attorney, was there to represent him.
Witnesses regarding Smith’s actions included Laramie County Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Tisher and Cheyenne Police Detective Matthew Ryan. Tisher attested to Smith’s aggressive attempt, while in detention, to bite the left hand of another officer. Spitting at the deputies was the reason behind using a “spit hood” on Smith.
While Tisher tried to cover Smith’s head with a “spit hood,” the deputy was keeping his head still. Tisher testified in court on Wednesday that Smith then withdrew and made an attempt to bite the deputy.
Kelly Skrdlant, the state’s representative, urged Tisher to clarify the risks that the bite would have brought if it had been effective.
Smith had stated that he was HIV positive, although there is currently no medical testing to support that assertion. Tisher told the court that if he had been successful in his attempt to bite the officer, he might have broken skin, hurting the man and possibly giving him a permanent illness.
Ryan provided testimony regarding the specifics of Smith’s first accusations, which included felony counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, theft, and interference with a peace officer resulting in harm.
Ryan said in court that Smith entered the Jonah Bank of Wyoming on Storey Boulevard at approximately 3 p.m. on July 25. He brandished a black object at the teller, which she took to be an explosion.
He took money out of the drawers and left the bank with $4,245. According to the teller, she was afraid for her life.
Ryan’s evidence states that Smith went to Burns Insurance and asked to “borrow” a car. He drove to Arbor Lane and stole a 2018 Lincoln MKC after his request was turned down.
Ryan informed the court that Jonah Bank had alerted neighboring banks to shut their doors. According to Ryan’s testimony, Smith tried to enter a bank that had received this message, but when he was denied entry, he drove off in the stolen car and headed to Western Vista Federal Credit Union on Sparks Road.
Once more scaring tellers with a claimed bomb and demanding cash, Smith barged into the credit union. The arrest document states that he took $3,488 with him when he left the property.
Officer Ben Vapenik of the CPD then discovered Smith at the junction of Meadow Drive and Taft Avenue. Vapenik approached Smith, knowing his description, his alleged offenses, and the possibility that he had a bomb, Ryan testified in court. Vapenik threatened to use his K-9, Maverick, on Smith if he didn’t comply.
Vapenik begged Smith to stop, but Smith disregarded him, therefore, Maverick was used. According to Ryan, Smith sidestepped the dog and hurled a claw hammer at Vapenik.
According to Harper, these two pieces of testimony provided probable cause for the case to move forward, and Smith’s case was destined for district court. The state countered that even if Smith made the present bond, there was no assurance he would follow its terms. The defendant’s attorney asked for the bond to be lowered.
Harper concluded that the bond would stay at $110,000 cash only because Smith had continued to act aggressively while he was jailed.
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