Novato suspect in Islamic center attack denied another bid for release

A suspect accused of assaulting a person at the Islamic Center of North Marin will remain in custody for now, a judge ruled.

David Jonathan Margoliash, 48, is charged with discharging pepper spray at the Novato center on March 11. A member of the center confronted the suspect when he appeared to be carrying a gun in his bag, Novato police reported.

Margoliash pleaded not guilty last month to charges of unlawfully using tear gas, being a convicted felon in possession of tear gas and displaying an imitation firearm in a public place.

In a hearing on Friday, Judge Kelly Simmons declined another request from Margoliash’s defense to release him from custody. Public defender Meredith McGuire noted that her client was visited by mental health professionals in jail.

Simmons reviewed oppositions to his release from the prosecution and a member of the Novato center. She agreed it was too soon to release him and set his next hearing for April 22.