According to the lawyer, the man’s family and friends say his alleged crimes do not match the person they know.
HOUSTON — The attorney for the West Houston man accused of stabbing an HPD canine says his client’s family is concerned about his mental health.
Police are calling Ryan Smith, 26, a person of interest in his father’s death.
KHOU 11 spoke with Smith’s attorney, Ralph Manginello, on Wednesday.
According to the attorney, Smith’s family and friends say the man’s alleged crimes do not match the person they know.
Manginello has filed a motion for a mental health exam for his client.
Houston police say Smith led them on a chase Saturday in a stolen car.
When officers caught up with him, police say he stabbed an HPD K-9 named “Nate.”
Nate survived and Smith was arrested.
Smith was released on bail earlier this week, but police were soon looking for him again.
The body of Smith’s father was discovered in the garage of his West Houston home after officers were called in to conduct a welfare check.
Smith was eventually located in Waller County and arrested.
Prosecutors say Smith breached his bail, claiming police found a loaded hunting rifle in the driver’s side of the wrecked vehicle he was using before he was captured.
A judge revoked Smith’s bail, but he has not yet been charged with a crime related to his father’s death.
