Stephen Patrick Medlock, 52, a transient, charged with arson for igniting the 2013 Silver Fire, had his July 26 felony settlement conference moved to Aug. 9. While negotiations with the prosecutor continue, Medlock has not received an offer.
Since his March 21 preliminary hearing, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has amended the original formal complaint, which was for two felony charges, one for arson of an inhabited structure and one for nondwelling arson. He is now charged with 28 felony counts. Twenty-three are for arson of a dwelling and the other five are for arson of a structure or forest land. He also faces an enhancement count for a multi-structure burn.
Medlock also has replaced the public defender with a private attorney. His defense request for a review of the bail and reduction was denied. Judge Mark Johnson left the bail amount at $500,000 and Medlock remains in custody.
