Medlock Finally Gets Day In Court In Girl’s Murder

More than a year after his arrest, accused killer John Medlock finally was brought before a Spokane County judge Thursday.

Medlock showed no emotion as he was notified formally of the first-degree murder charge he is facing in the beating death of 13-year-old Rebecca Hedman.

“I understand the charge,” he said. Bail in the case was set at $250,000.

He refused appointment of a public defender, saying he intends to hire a private lawyer in Seattle.

Medlock, 35, was arrested more than a year ago in Vancouver, British Columbia, but until recently he fought extradition.

Hedman ran away from her Tacoma home several years ago.

Living on the streets of Spokane, she became addicted to crack cocaine and became a prostitute known as “Misty.”

Police believe Medlock picked up the girl in downtown Spokane on Oct. 17, 1993, and took her to a motel, where he killed her with a baseball bat.

Her body was dumped along the Spokane River near Downriver Golf Course.

Prosecutors accuse Medlock of killing Hedman during the commission of either a robbery or a rape.

The defendant allegedly confessed to being responsible for the murder to Canadian authorities.

Medlock lived in Spokane from 1968 until November 1993. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1978.