Suspect’s assault charges mount

7/19/2013

A man accused of shooting two people outside a Toledo bar Wednesday had left jail just 33 hours earlier from an assault case, though he had charges pending from a May shooting.

Anthony Smith, 27, of Auburn Avenue was arraigned Thursday in Toledo Municipal Court on two felonious assault charges for which his new bond was set at $500,000. Police say he shot two people in the legs outside Upton Bar and Grill.

Smith already was accused of shooting Vincent Pittman in the chest May 3 outside an illegal club at Dorr and Pelee streets and, later, threatening to harm him if he pressed charges.

Smith was arrested June 5, then indicted June 26 on charges of felonious assault with a gun specification and intimidating a victim. On July 10, Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings set $95,000 bond, which Smith posted the next day.

On Monday, Toledo police arrested Smith again, this time accusing him of challenging people to fight at a Monroe Street gas station. He was charged with disorderly conduct. Instead of revoking his bond from the May 3 shooting, Toledo Municipal Judge William Connelly, Jr., set a $5,000 bond for the assault charge and released Smith on his own recognizance.

Judge Connelly could not recall Thursday whether he was aware of the common pleas case. Michael Loisel, an assistant county prosecutor assigned to Smith’s case, said he was not aware of Monday’s arrest.

City Prosecutor Dave Toska did not return messages seeking comment.