The oft delayed murder trial of Steven Michael Baumgartner, 55, is underway in San Bernardino County Superior Court. He is accused of the June 30, 2014, murder, in the driveway of his Crestline home, of Michael Paul Clark, 38. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – Judge Harold T. Wilson, Jr. is presiding over the murder trial of Steven Michael Baumgartner, 55, in San Bernardino County Superior Court, Department S-15. The former Riverside County Deputy Sheriff is accused of the murder of 38-year-old Michael Paul Clark in Crestline on June 30, 2014.
The trial is being held in the San Bernardino County Justice Center in downtown SAn Bernardino. (Photo by ROTWNEWS.com)
Baumgartner is represented by Conflict Panel Attorney Julian Ducre and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Nelson Ng.
THE TRIAL
The long delayed trial — which began shortly after 8:30 a.m. on August 24 — has Baumgartner facing murder, using a firearm and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury charges.
The trial is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, August 29 at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-15.
Baumgartner entered a not guilty plea on July 2, 2014.
Steven Michael Baumgartner (Contributed Photo)
Baumgartner has also denied special allegations.
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.
IN CUSTODY
During the trial, Baumgartner will remain in custody in the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. The original bail amount was $1.75 million.
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