Man charged with killing Las Vegas woman, toddler in car to remain in jail
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The man charged with allegedly killing a Las Vegas woman and a 1-year-old as they sat in a car will remain jailed through trial.
Ziaire Ham, 22, stood silently as Judge Michelle Leavitt heard arguments and ultimately granted a motion to hold him without bail.
Authorities allege Ham shot and killed 20-year-old Danaijha Robinson and 1-year-old Nhalani Hiner near Starr Avenue and Interstate 15 in March.
Police in Ogden, Utah, arrested Ham after he allegedly stole a vehicle out of Phoenix, Arizona, according to the department's arrest report.
Ham told detectives in Utah that he got into an argument with his mother earlier in the evening and believed people were following him. He saw a car on the street that "did not belong there," a warrant from LVMPD states.
He has pleaded not guilty to 11 felony counts, including two for murder with a deadly weapon. His trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 7.
Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner said there is video showing Ham shoot at Robinson's car from two different angles. He argued that Ham knew he killed someone and still fled to Arizona.
"That is willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, times two," Hamner said. "And so the bottom line is, he is a danger to our community."
Nicholas Wooldridge, Ham's attorney, argued Wednesday that his client was suffering from psychosis and believed delusions that people were out to get him at the time of the alleged crime.
Woolridge asked for Ham to be released to a psychiatric center to receive treatment, saying he would pursue a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.
"Jail is not the appropriate place for him," the defense attorney said. "What's appropriate for him is a mental health institution."