CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Charleston man charged with murder last week waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
The charges against Matthew Roohollahi, 30, will go straight to a grand jury for consideration.
Police allege Roohollahi murdered his uncle’s girlfriend, Andrena Smith, 22, Nov. 10, when he shot her through the front door of a residence on Lakin Street. Roohallahi’s attorney, former Kanawha County Prosecutor Bill Forbes, said it’s a clear case of self-defense.
According to police, South Charleston resident Jonathan Bush, 32, fired several shots at Roohallahi’s house on consecutive days before the shooting death. Bush and Roohallahi’s sister recently ended their relationship. A neighbor allegedly heard Roohallahi say he was ready for Bush if he returned.
Police said Roohallahi may have mistaken Smith for Bush. Smith had come to Roohallahi’s home to check on him after hearing about the shootings.
Roohallahi remains in the South Central Regional Jail without bail.