Rancho Cucamonga man, who shot wife and held her hostage for 26 days, pleads not guilty

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (KABC) -- Through a jailhouse video feed, 37-year-old Michael Venegas made his first appearance before a San Bernardino County judge Thursday morning.

Venegas is accused of shooting his 26-year-old wife in the chest and holding her and their 7-year-old son hostage inside a Rancho Cucamonga apartment for 26 days, without medical treatment.

On Thursday, Venegas was visibly upset at times as 11 felony charges, including attempted murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping, were listed. According to detectives, Venegas and his wife got into an argument on April 1. She packed her bags and tried to leave and that's when the wheelchair-bound suspect allegedly shot her.

The bullet went through the victim and came out the other side. Officials say the woman and her son finally escaped on Sunday, after 26 days of being held against her well.

She told doctors she was in fear for her life, her son's life and her parents' lives, and that's why she did not escape sooner. Her condition is currently unknown.

The court entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Venegas Thursday and increased his bail to $900,000.

"Can I ask a question? Can I have my bail reduced?" Venegas asked the judge, who responded, "You can discuss that with your attorney when you talk to them at your next hearing."

Venegas still needs to be appointed a public defender, so his bail was not reduced. He remains in custody and is due back in court next Thursday.