Screening ordered in Lake Venoah assault case

A Carlton man accused of felony attempted murder in February will undergo a psychological screening first to see if he is suitable to take part in court proceedings. That was the result Monday of a hearing for Jacob Clarin, 37, who is accused of assaulting a fellow resident Feb. 21 at Lake Venoah Board and Lodge outside Carlton, in Twin Lakes Township.

Clarin appeared in an online Sixth District Court hearing Monday before Judge Rebekka Stumme. A prosecutor with the Carlton County Attorney’s Office and a public defender both agreed and recommended Clarin be examined.

Clarin was apprehended by the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office out on the ice Feb. 21. He’d walked away from the facility toward a favorite fishing spot after he allegedly used a railroad spike fastened to a metal handle to assault another resident. Clarin had begun targeting the victim shortly after he was admitted to the drug and alcohol treatment facility., and later verbalized to authorities that he’d wanted to kill the victim.

Clarin remains in the Carlton County Jail and faces up to 20 years in prison for a second-degree felony attempted murder charge. A second felony, assault with a dangerous weapon, carries a maximum seven-year sentence and $14,000 fine. Clarin is scheduled to appear again in court, along with the results of the screening, for an online omnibus hearing at 9:30 a.m. April 1.