CLEARLAKE – A Clearlake men facing a charge of homicide in connection with his father's death was in court Friday.

Justin Medvin, 22, appeared before Judge Steve Hedstrom Friday, where he entered a not guilty plea to a charge of murder, according to his defense attorney, Thomas Quinn.

Clearlake Police arrested Medvin on Monday in connection with the murder of his father, 45-year-old Steven Medvin.

A report from Clearlake Police said Steven Medvin was stabbed repeatedly with what District Attorney Jon Hopkins said this week was a martial arts sword.

In order to allow time for a defense investigation, the case has been continued to July 20, at which time a preliminary hearing will be set in the case, Quinn said. Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones is prosecuting the case.

Dean Gotham, who for the past five years has lived next door to the Medvin family on 31^st Avenue, told Lake County News this week that father and son argued almost constantly.

Although Gotham said he never saw an actual physical fight between the two men, and never saw the younger Medvin with any weapons – such as the martial arts sword he is accused of wielding against his father – the two men often argued.

“The level of verbal abuse was off the charts,” he said, adding that he often saw police at the Medvin residence as a result of those arguments.

Gotham stated that Steven Medvin's wife left a few years ago, claiming physical abuse by her husband, who she told Gotham carried a knife at all times.

Justin Medvin, who also is charged with a felony probation violation, remains at the Lake County Jail on $500,000 bail.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 01 June 2007