LAKEPORT >> The suspect in the murder of a 2-year-old boy was in custody and present at the Lake County Superior Court.
During the appearance of counsel/plea entry hearing, criminal defense attorney William Conwell informed the Court that the family of defendant, Fernando Lugo-Garcia, is attempting to hire private counsel.
The matter has been scheduled for an appearance of counsel/plea entry/setting of bail hearing for next week.
Earlier this month the Court appointed The Lake County Public Defenders’ Office as counsel for the defendant.
Bail remained as previously set, which was no bail.
The defendant faces charges of murder, assault with firearm on person, discharging a firearm in negligent manner, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, person prohibited in possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place.
The charges stem from an incident in March when a 2-year-old Clearlake boy was shot during a party on the 14000 block of Uhl Ave. in Clearlake.
According to authorities the suspect fled the scene after the shooting.
Lugo-Garcia was known to reside in the Santa Rosa area.
The Sonoma County Violent Crime Investigations (VCI) coordinated with intelligence from the Clearlake Police, which implemented an overnight search resulting in the arrest of the suspect.
The defendant was transferred and booked into the Lake County Jail in May.
His bail remains set at no bail.
