Steve Michael Baumgartner, 53 — who is accused of the murder of Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30 — heads back to court for a preliminary hearing on December 19. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
UPDATE: Wednesday, December 17 – 12:05 p.m.
San Bernardino, CA – The preliminary hearing for Crestline murder suspect — Steve Michael Baumgartner — has been confirmed for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, December 19, in Department S-17.
Baumgartner, who is accused of the murder of Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30, appeared briefly Wednesday (December 17) before Judge Annemarie G. Pace. The judge was notified all parties are ready for the preliminary hearing and ordered the defendant to appear on the hearing date.
The 53-year-old Baumgartner is being held on $1.75 million bail at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.
ORIGINAL STORY
San Bernardino, CA – Crestline murder suspect Steve Michael Baumgartner, 53, returns to court Wednesday, December 17, for a pre-preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-17. A preliminary hearing is set for Friday, December 19. He is accused of the murder of Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30.
Steve Michael Baumgartner (Contributed Photo)
Superior Court Judge Annemarie Pace granted a continuance on October 14, because Baumgartner’s attorney — Charles Kenyon — was involved in another trial. Kenyon is a Riverside criminal defense attorney and joined Baumgartner’s defense team on August 26. He is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Rosa Clark.
Baumgartner is being held on $1.75 million bail at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.
A preliminary hearing for Baumgartner is on the court calendar for Friday, December 19, at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-17-P.
THE CASE
The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station and Homicide Detectives indicate that Baumgartner reportedly shot Clark — his next door neighbor in the 23000 block of Wildwood Lane in Crestline — in the face with a .357 Magnum after the two men got in an argument outside Clark’s home.
Sheriff’s Dispatchers were told by numerous 9-1-1 callers about the incident that occurred about 5:14 p.m., June 30. First responders transported Clark to St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino where he was pronounced dead at 6:09 p.m.
Baumgartner, a former Riverside County Deputy Sheriff, is accused of Clark’s shooting death in the 23000 block of Wildwood Lane in Crestline.
He has entered a not guilty plea and also denied special allegations, according to court documents reviewed by ROTWNEWS.com.
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