A man accused of vehicular manslaughter made his first court appearance Monday to face the charge in connection with the death last summer of Bellevue businessman Mark Fisher.
Randall Leland Edgar, a 50-year-old Bellevue man, is accused of being the intoxicated driver of a vehicle that rolled on June 3, 2006, on Muldoon Canyon Road five miles east of Bellevue. According to the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, Fisher was pinned underneath the vehicle and died at the scene. Fisher, 40, was the owner of Mama Inez Mexican restaurant in Bellevue.
Blaine County Magistrate Court Judge R. Ted Israel told Edgar in court Monday that the charge carries a maximum penalty in Idaho of 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Israel scheduled a preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. on March 22.
Edgar, who earlier told investigating officers that Fisher was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, is currently free on his own recognizance.
In another development, Israel said he will step down from the case because he is acquainted with some of the witnesses who will likely testify at the preliminary hearing.
"A judge most likely out of Twin Falls will hear the case," Israel said.