THE KANEOHE SHOOTING

Judge says man can't follow court, retains bail

Though police sought him, Demetrius Smith is not a suspect

Maui Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto continued bail at $10,000 for a man described as a "person of interest" in the May 14 killing of a man in Kaneohe on Oahu.

Demetrius Smith, 28, has "a serious inability" to follow court orders, Raffetto said yesterday.

Deputy Prosecutor Mark Simonds said Smith had five contempt-of-court convictions and was a person of interest in the killing.

Police have said Smith is not a suspect in the killing.

Honolulu detectives traveled to Maui on Friday to interview Smith, also known as Meatball, after his arrest on an outstanding warrant.

Smith was indicted April 27 on charges that include third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia, and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

The charges stem from his alleged possession of cocaine, marijuana and plastic packets used for storing drugs on Feb. 22 in Kihei.

Smith was arrested in Kihei in south Maui on Thursday.

Before his arrest on Maui, Honolulu police were looking for Smith, who was believed to be on Oahu.

Held as a suspect in the Oahu killing is former Maui resident Jerrico Lindsey, charged with murder, terroristic threatening and four firearms offenses.

Charged with kidnapping and hindering prosecution is another former Maui resident, William Freeman.

Benjamin Grajeda, 27, of California was killed May 14 while escaping during a kidnapping from his Kaneohe Bay home.

In March 2006, Smith was placed on probation for two years after pleading no contest to 35 counts of violating a protective order barring him from having any contact with an ex-girlfriend.