Murder suspect Frank Joseph “Black Fox” Popovich, Jr. was in court Thursday, May 26, for a pre-preliminary hearing related to the shooting death of Big Bear artist James Clark. During the proceedings the preliminary hearing set for May 31 was vacated. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
UPDATE: Thursday, May 26 – 2:50 p.m.
San Bernardino, CA – During Thursday’s pre-preliminary hearing for Frank Joseph “Black Fox” Popovich, Jr., 53, who is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old James Clark outside a Big Bear nightclub last month, Judge Richard V. Peel vacated a scheduled preliminary hearing for Tuesday, May 31.
Judge Peel set a disposition/reset hearing for Wednesday, June 29, at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-17.
Popovich remains in custody at the West Valley Detention Center on $1 million bail.
ORIGINAL STORY
San Bernardino, CA – A pre-preliminary hearing for Frank Joseph “Black Fox” Popovich, Jr., 53, who is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old James Clark outside a Big Bear nightclub last month, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 26.
Frank Popovich (Facebook Photo)
Judge Richard V. Peel — who will preside over the hearing in Department S-17 — has also scheduled a preliminary hearing for Tuesday, May 31, at 8:30 a.m.
The incident was reported shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, according to a press release issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Officials determined Clark and Popovich were acquaintances and were involved in a fight outside the nightclub during which time Clark was allegedly shot by Popovich.
Clark was pronounced deceased after being transported to Bear Valley Community Hospital by Big Bear Fire personnel
James Clark inside the AV Nightclub. (Facebook Photo)
$1 MILLION BAIL
Popovich — who is being represented by a deputy public defender — remains in custody at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
Bail remains at $1 million.
On April 14, Popovich — who operated the Black Fox Trading Company on Pine Knot Avenue — was arraigned on the murder charge and entered a not guilty plea to the fatal shooting of the local artist.
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