A Port Huron man accused of shooting three of his children, killing one and seriously injuring two others, will face trial in circuit court.
44-year-old Jeffery Smerer was bound over following a probable cause hearing Tuesday in St. Clair County’s 72nd District Court. Judge John Monaghan ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed after prosecutors presented medical records, police testimony, and statements from Smerer detailing the events that took place at the family home in the Glenview Gardens Apartments on the morning of September 11th.
According to investigators, Smerer shot and killed his 17-year-old son and wounded his 13-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter before his wife and eldest son were able to disarm him. Smerer himself reportedly attempted to commit suicide during the ordeal.
Smerer is charged with 10 felonies, including open murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse, and multiple counts of felony firearm use.
A GoFundMe set up to help the family has raised more than $67,000 to date, to assist with housing, medical bills, and long-term care.
Smerer is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, October 2nd, for sentencing in an unrelated indecent exposure case that was originally set for the same morning as the shootings.
