An Acton man who is accused of murder is expected to appear in court next month, according to the district attorney.

Scott Shipley, 56, of Acton will be back at Los Angeles Superior Court in Lancaster after a hearing today.

“The arraignment got continued to July 24,” said Tom Trainor, deputy district attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office

There was also motion by the defense to reduce bail and that was ultimately denied. Shipley remains in custody on $2 million bail.

Christopher Demyen

Original Story:

An Acton man whom detectives believe was shot and killed by another Acton man left behind a pregnant wife and two small children, a friend said Wednesday.

Christopher Demyen, 39, of Acton, was killed last Wednesday (May 5, 2013), after a verbal altercation on the 1500 block of Eagle Butte Road turned violent, detectives said.

In addition to owning Acton Water Co., a local water-delivery company, Demyen also studied law at the Larry H Layton School of Law, said school founder Larry Layton.

“I’ve known him for many years,” Layton said. “He had a review class on the following Sunday, and I had just talked to him the day or two before.”

Scott Shipley, 56, of Acton, will be back at Los Angeles Superior Court in Lancaster next month, according to the case’s prosecutor.

Shipley had an arraignment scheduled for May 17, but that was continued until June 17, said Tom Trainor, deputy district attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“(Shipley’s) charged with a single count of murder and there’s also an allegation that he personally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury or death,” Trainor said. “There’s no offer being discussed.”

His bail amount was doubled due to the allegation that Shipley used a gun in the commission of the crime, Trainor said.

He faces a maximum of a life sentence if convicted.

– David Mariuz