More than year after the Clayton Fire tore through Lower Lake, alleged arsonist Damin Anthony Pashilk has yet to face a jury.
During a recent court appearance, the issued another continuance, citing a large amount of material yet to be reviewed for the case. The 41-year-old Clearlake man is now scheduled to appear at Lake County Superior Court for a preliminary hearing on February 22, 2018, at 8:15 a.m. in a department yet to be announced.
Pashilk is facing 19 arson charges related to a series of fires in the summer of 2016. Three of those charges are related to the Clayton Fire, which began its enormous roar on August 13 of last year.
While Pashilk pled not guilty to all charges, law enforcement had been investigation possible involvement in the fires. Video surveillance at the start of earlier fires reportedly captured images of a vehicle in the area. After identifying the vehicle, authorities were able to track and arrest Pashilk.
Judge Stephen Hedstrom presided over the recent continuance with Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff and Defense Attorney David Markham present in court as well.
Pashilk remains in custody at the Hill Road Jail.
Murder case continued
The case of Steven Russell Miller was continued until this month after Defense Attorney Anakalia Sullivan received funding for an expert to appear in his support. But during the recent setting hearing, the case was delayed again, this time to November 7.
The 39-year-old Hidden Valley Lake man is suspected of murder in the death of his 20-year-old daughter Hannah Welch. Miller faces charges of murder and exhibiting a weapon for the fatal shooting .
The incident took place on the evening of May 30.
According to Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports, Miller left the residence after allegedly firing at Welch and hitting her at least once. Deputies were able to track him down quickly and took him into custody.
Discovery and an expert examination of the defendant are still needed in this matter. The defense requested the continuance without objection from the prosecution.
Miller will again appear in court November 7, at 8:15 a.m. for the setting of the preliminary examination in Department 4.
Man who led chase released
Kacy Jay Perry, 42 of San Diego, was placed into custody in July after facing multiple charges including, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, felony evasion and resisting an officer. His bail has since been exonerated and he has been released from Lake County Jail.
Perry led officers on a chase through Lake County that lasted almost two hours and finally ended in an arrest on Highway 175 near Hopland in Mendocino County.
During the arraignment hearing, for which Perry was not present, Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson informed the court that she had not received the police reports.
The court clerk was directed to send a notice to defense attorney Robert Boyd if the Lake County District Attorney’s Office files a complaint against Perry.
