CLEARLAKE — Murder suspect Paul Braden, 21, of Clearlake entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in Lake County Superior Court Department 4 before Honorable Stephen Hedstrom in Clearlake.
Braden faces charges of murder in connection with the June 18 shooting death of Skyler Rapp, 4 as well as attempted murder charges associated with the shooting of five additional victims.
Kevin Stone, 29, of Clearlake faces the same charges; however, Stone is still at-large and police are actively seeking his whereabouts.
Charges against Braden and Stone include murder with three special allegations attached and assault with a firearm with two special allegations attached including he personally inflicted great bodily injury on Rapp, who was younger than 5 years. The men also face 12 additional counts including, but not limited, those alleging the attempted murder and assault of the five other shooting victims. Several special allegations accompany the additional 12 counts as well.
Braden is scheduled for a preliminary hearing readiness conference on July 19 followed by a trial assignment on July 20. His preliminary hearing date was set for 8:15 a.m. Aug. 1 in a department to be determined.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
