Suspect charged with homicide
Murder suspect Charles G. Smith listens to Justice of the Peace David Ortley explain the charges against him on Tuesday. Defense attorney Glen Neier is pictured next to Smith. Garrett Cheen/Daily Inter Lake
Charles and Jody Smith's relationship seemed marked by strife.
The couple fought often enough that neighbors said they simply learned to ignore it.
Charles Smith was arrested at least twice for assaulting Jody Smith. In 2004 he allegedly hit her in the head and pulled her hair, and in 1998 she accused him of hitting her with a frying pan.
Then on Sunday, Charles Smith was arrested again - this time for Jody Smith's murder.
Charles Glenn Smith Jr., 50, of Hungry Horse, was charged Tuesday with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of Jody Smith, 46.
He is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on $500,000 bail.
Should Charles Smith post bond, he must also appear before a judge before being released, according to a ruling by Justice Court Judge David Ortley.
The shooting allegedly occurred just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smiths' home in the 100 block of First Avenue West North in Hungry Horse, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.
Jody Smith was reportedly sitting in a chair knitting or sewing when she was shot four times in the chest and abdomen with rounds from a 9-mm pistol. One of the rounds went through her forearm first, but that did not indicate she was in a defensive position, investigators said.
After the shooting, Charles Smith reportedly called 911 and said he had shot his wife.
When officers arrived, Charles Smith was out on the front porch, unarmed, and surrendered peacefully. Jody Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting appears to have occurred after an escalating domestic argument, Sheriff Mike Meehan said. Alcohol was involved.
The couple reportedly had no children together, but Jody Smith has adult children from a prior relationship, Meehan said. The Smiths had been married for 15 years, and had lived in the Flathead Valley for at least 13.
There were no other people in the house at the time of Sunday's shooting. In addition to the alleged murder weapon, several other guns were found inside the house.
Charles Smith's arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 27. If convicted of deliberate homicide, he could face up to 100 years or life in prison. Another 10 years could be added to the sentence because he allegedly used a firearm in the commission of the crime.
Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com