Circuit Court arraignment is scheduled next month for two of the five suspects charged in connection with a fatal shooting last month in Midtown St. Joseph.

Justin Smith and Dayne Matthews waived their right to a preliminary hearing Monday. Smith is charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. Matthews is charged with distribution of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.

The pair were among five people charged after the body of 18-year-old Skylar Powell was found in a parking lot near 22nd and Frederick May 18. Prosecutors believe the victim was killed during a drug transaction and attempted robbery.

Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart scheduled arraignment for Smith on July 14. Matthews is scheduled for arraignment July 8.

Two adults and one juvenile are also charged in the case. Court documents said Kyle Smith is accused of giving 1/4 pound of marijuana to Justin Smith with the intent and purpose of resale and distribution. Court documents also said after the shooting Kyle Smith is accused of taking the handgun used and disposing of it for the purpose of preventing discovery by law enforcement officials. This allegedly took place in the area of 3513 S. 11th St.

Ashten Surritte is accused of conspiring to commit robbery by helping the victim Powell plan a robbery of Dayne Matthews by supplying Powell with Matthews’s phone number and a picture of Matthews. Kyle Smith and Ashten Surritte are scheduled for preliminary hearings July 6.

A fifth defendant has also been charged in the investigation. A 16-year-old was charged in juvenile court with murder in the second-degree.

Nearly three dozen family members and other supporters of Mr Powell were in court Monday, some of them wearing special t-shirts emblazoned with a favorite quote from the victim and the expression “Smile for Skylar.”