BERKELEY — Yarman D. Smith, a 33-year-old resident of Berkeley, has been jailed for allegedly stabbing a woman during a domestic dispute. Smith told authorities that the victim accidentally stabbed herself during an argument with him.
Bond for Smith was set at $270,000. However, Smith has remained inside Santa Rita Jail since his arrest earlier this month. He is scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on November 16.
The incident that landed Smith behind bars occurred during the middle of the day on October 16. Berkeley police responded to a report of domestic violence on Hearst Avenue.
Smith purportedly threatened to kill the victim and punched her in the head, prior to the woman being stabbed. The victim had her hand slashed, and she required stitches.
Two days later, Pittsburg police were alerted by an automated license plate reader that Smith was traveling within city limits. He was detained by Pittsburg PD until Berkeley officers arrived to take custody of him on October 18.
Smith was booked for making threats, corporal injury to a relationship partner, domestic violence, and use of a weapon.
On October 20, he was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. He faces six felony charges involving criminal threats and using a weapon to cause great bodily injury.
Smith is no stranger to jail cells. He has been arrested seven times since 2017. His prior arrests involved making threats, elder or dependent person abuse, and sex offenses.
-by Jim Emmerson
