Steve Michael Baumgartner, 54 — who is accused of the murder of Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30 — returns to court May 15 for the first time in two months. (File Photol)
G. T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – For the first time in two months, Crestline murder suspect Steve Michael Baumgartner, now 54, returns to court Friday, May 15, for a disposition/reset hearing. During his last appearance on March 13, Judge Harold T. Wilson granted a motion for a continuance requested by Baumgartner’s attorney Jim McGee.
Steve Michael Baumgartner (Contributed Photo)
The hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in Department S-15.
The former Riverside County Deputy Sheriff is accused of the murder of Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30, 2014.
Baumgartner remains in custody in the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino with bail set at $1.75 million.
THE CASE
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.
Numerous 9-1-1 callers told San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatchers about the incident that occurred about 5:14 p.m. on 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 has entered a not guilty plea and has also denied special allegations, according to court documents reviewed by ROTWNEWS.com. (28)