Trial of assault suspect delayed because of medical issues

Prosecution of a Menifee man facing multiple charges for assault and battery has been delayed because of the suspect's medical condition, authorities said Thursday.

Craig Allen Silbaugh, 58, has been jailed at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside since his arrest on Sept. 5, 2017. He was taken into custody at a residence on Augusta Drive in the Sun City community of Menifee and charged with assault on a person causing great bodily injury, with an enhancement of bodily injury of a person over the age of 70; and battery with serious injury. All are felony counts.

A source told Menifee 24/7 that Silbaugh's arrest was related to an "escalating conflict over noise and rowdy behavior" in his neighborhood and that the Sun City Civic Association has received complaints about the suspect for over a year. In the September 2017 incident, according to the source, Silbaugh attacked a 74-year-old neighbor in his front yard, knocking him down and sending him to the hospital.

Court records include the receipt of subpoenaed documents from the Sun City Civic Association on May 17.

Silbaugh pleaded either not guilty or denied all charges. His trial began on Tuesday, with Silbaugh representing himself. On Wednesday, he experienced a medical issue, according to John Hall of the District Attorney's Office.

"He was not medically cleared by the jail to be transported today to resume the trial," Hall wrote in an email to Menifee 24/7. The judge on Thursday declared a mistrial "because of the court’s concerns regarding the medical issue. This jury was excused and the proceedings will resume when the defendant is medically cleared and a new trial will need to begin."

A trial readiness conference is scheduled for Friday.

Silbaugh has an extensive criminal record, according to court documents. His record includes two prior serious felony convictions and two prison stays within the last five years.