Jury selection is slated to get underway next week for the trial of a felon accused of shooting a fellow guest at a Riverside motel during an argument in the parking lot.
Rodney Mitchell Meredith, 52, of Los Angeles was arrested after the alleged July 28 attack at the Sands Motel on Magnolia Avenue, just north of the Riverside (91) Freeway.
Meredith, who is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, is charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm resulting in great bodily injury and one count each of being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded gun and possession of controlled substances.
During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Molloy inquired of the prosecution and defense whether they were prepared for trial, and both sides indicated they were, leading the judge to set proceedings to begin Tuesday.
According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, Meredith confronted several people loitering in the parking area of the Sands Motel, where he was renting a room, about 2 a.m. An argument ensued between the parties for unspecified reasons, and the defendant allegedly pulled out a pistol and opened fire, hitting the victim in a leg, then fled the scene.
Witnesses called 911, and the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
A K-9 unit was summoned to search for Meredith, and the dog, “Maxx,” quickly picked up the defendant’s scent, leading his handler to the area of Magnolia and Skofstad Street, roughly three blocks west of the shooting, Railsback said.
Meredith was spotted and taken into custody without incident.
According to court records, he has prior felony convictions in another jurisdiction, but they were not listed. He also has an unresolved misdemeanor case pending in Riverside County for alleged battery on a domestic partner.