A judge Wednesday tentatively scheduled jury selection to begin next Monday for the trial of a felon accused of shooting a man in the head over a missing cellphone in Indio.
John Kevin Medina, 40, of Indio was arrested three days after the shooting, which was reported March 14, 2020 in the 44700 block of King Street.
Medina is charged with one count of attempted murder. He also faces several sentence-enhancing allegations, including causing great bodily injury and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Medina remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.
Opening statements for the trial at the Larson Justice Center in Indio could begin as soon as March 17, according to John Hall, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. He said the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in state prison if convicted.
According to prosecutors, Medina shot the victim, identified as Filberto C. in court papers, at about 12:40 a.m. on March 14. Police officers found the wounded victim inside a white van that had crashed into parked vehicles on King Street.
Indio Police Department Detective Jesse Marin alleged during a preliminary hearing in September that Medina opened fire as the victim drove away because the defendant believed his missing cellphone was inside.
Witnesses reported seeing the defendant arguing with the man inside the van regarding the defendant’s missing phone before the van was driven away, Marin testified.
Deputy District Attorney Karen Salas alleged the defendant fired between five and six gunshots at the vehicle while standing about 6 feet away.
The victim was hospitalized in critical condition but survived, according to police. His current health status was not disclosed.
Medina has several documented felony convictions in Riverside County, including attempted assault with a firearm and criminal threats, which are both strike offenses. He was also previously convicted of evading arrest, embezzlement and possession of a controlled substance for sale.