Judge Marc A. Garcia on Thursday raised bail from $76,000 to $250,000 for
Nathan Schindler and Michael Stucky, both 24, according to the court clerk’s office.
David Elgin, the supervising deputy district attorney prosecuting the case,
said the judge believed the two defendants posed a significant risk after
the Feb. 2 assault against police officers on West 18th Street in Merced.
“Public safety is the most important consideration when setting a
bail,” he said.
The judge declined to increase bail for the third defendant in the case,
23-year-old Cody Griess, the clerk’s office reported.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including obstructing
peace officers and being drunk in public, court records show.
Griess’ attorney,
Jeffrey Tenenbaum, said the judge believed his client was “the least culpable”
of the three defendants. Griess is the only defendant not specifically
charged with assaulting a peace officer. He remained free on the bail
set initially, court records show. Attorneys for the two other defendants
could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Stucky posted his $250,000 bail and was released from the Merced County
Jail shortly after Thursday’s hearing. Schindler was still in custody
Thursday night, authorities confirmed.
Two officers suffered injuries while they were trying to break up an alcohol-fueled
fight downtown, police said.
Officer Brian Rinder was speaking with Schindler and Stucky, authorities
said, when Griess tried to physically intervene. Griess was taken to the
ground by officers, police said, and Sgt. Curt Gorman began to assist.
Schindler then kicked and punched Gorman in the face and head, the department said.
Elgin said attorneys and the judge discussed Schindler’s mixed martial
arts training during Thursday’s hearing.
Gorman suffered a broken nose and has yet to be medically cleared for duty.
Capt. Tom Trindad said Thursday that Rinder and a police dog were also
assaulted but returned to duty the next day.
All three defendants are due in court April 1 for further hearings.