Chief Eddie Skookum of the Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation was denied a reduction in bail today after his attorney argued he should be treated with diplomatic immunity.

Skookum, 56, was charged with assault and impaired driving in Haines, Alaska last weekend after a 21-year-old woman was assaulted and abandoned, bloody, in the Captain's Choice Hotel parking lot.

Skookum appeared in court in Haines by telephone from Juneau's Lemon Creek correctional facility for today's bail hearing.

Attorney David Mallet requested Skookum's bail be reduced to $2,000 US from $50,000.

He said his client should be treated with diplomatic immunity because he is a leader of a sovereign nation, and he likened the First Nation leader to U.S. President Barack Obama and the king of German-speaking Liechtenstein.

Mallet added that the chief is an extremely responsible person who is a minimal flight risk.

Magistrate John Hutchins ruled against the argument, saying it wasn't clear Skookum was travelling in an official capacity or on a diplomatic mission.

Hutchins called the complaint against Skookum very disturbing, noting a person was severely assaulted, abandoned and found in a parking lot. He said it seems like more than a dispute of passion.

"It looked like a murder scene, there was so much blood in the hotel room,” said Amy Williams, assistant district attorney, referring to a statement made by the investigating officer.

Williams noted that Skookum has a previous firearm conviction from 1983, and two assault convictions in the early 1990s.

The case will be sent to the grand jury, but no date has been set.

Meanwhile, Little Salmon-Carmacks council members held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the situation of their chief, who has held the position since 1996.

Officials have said the First Nation will not be putting up the money for Skookum's bail.

Carmacks resident Karen Gage said today Skookum is a good leader who is always available for those who need him.

"He's a really good chief. He cares about the community, he cares about his people,” she said.

Carmacks Mayor Elaine Wyatt said she couldn't comment on Skookum's position as chief, but she could say

Skookum worked hard at establishing a solid relationship between the First Nation and the municipality.

She said he was an integral part in developing regular joint meetings between the two councils.

"We have had a very co-operative working relationship with the First Nation council in the past four years,” she said.

– With files from Tom Morphet of the Chilkat Valley News.