LAKEPORT— Over two and a half years after the Clayton Fire tore through Lower Lake, alleged arsonist Damin Anthony Pashilk, a 43-year-old Clearlake handyman, has yet to face a jury. However, after a long-cause preliminary hearing, which lasted several days, the Court has determined there is sufficient evidence that the defendant may have committed the crime(s) and should therefore be held over for a trial.
There had been prior delays due to outstanding discovery of approximately 100 pages regarding this case.
Defense Attorney Jeffrey David Markham initially represented Pashilk. However, in 2017 – after Judge Richard Martin announced that he planned to retire, Markham was named to replace the judge on the bench. With that, Defense Attorney Mitchell Hauptman has been representing Pashilk. The defendant was facing 19 felony arson charges related to a series of fires in the summer of 2016, but one of those counts has been dismissed, reducing the felony arson charges to 18. Three of those charges relate to the Clayton Fire, which began its enormous roar on August 13, 2016. The defendant also faces four additional misdemeanor charges.
The blaze burned almost 4,000 acres and destroyed 300 structures, including 180 homes. While Pashilk pled not guilty to all charges, law enforcement conducted a further investigation of his possible involvement in the fires. Video surveillance at the start of previous fires reportedly captured images of a vehicle in the area. After identifying the car, authorities were able to track and arrest Pashilk.
An “information” has been filed by the prosecution which contains the felony charges.
The defendant is ordered to be present at the arraignment on an information which is set for March 26 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 4. More details to follow.
Preliminary hearing scheduled in murder case
A Lakeport man charged with the fatal stabbing of his father and the attempted murder of his mother, along with other charges, was in custody and recently appeared at the setting of the preliminary hearing held at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport.
Due to Defense Attorney Edward Savin’s contract as a felony attorney expiring soon, he is relieved and Defense Attorney Mitch Hauptman has been appointed to represent the defendant.
Steven Michael Fredericks, 49, is charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, causing injury to an elder and assault with a deadly weapon.
The charges stem from an incident last March when Lake County Sheriff Deputies responded to reports of a stabbing just after 6:30 a.m. in the 6300 block of Lyons Road, across Highway 29 from the Nice-Lucerne cutoff exit. When deputies arrived they located a man (Frederick’s father) dead at the scene from what looked to be stab wounds. Also at the scene was a woman (Frederick’s mother) suffering from cuts to her neck — she was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Witnesses at the scene identified Fredericks as the suspect, informing deputies he had fled to a nearby patch of woods immediately after the incident. Fredericks emerged from the woods and surrendered.
Before the preliminary hearing is held a master calendar call hearing has been scheduled for April 26 with the preliminary hearing scheduled for May 1 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced.
This matter has been set for a long cause preliminary hearing, which means by request – the hearing will extend to more than a single court day.