Arraignment for Man Arrested for Naked Break-in, Attempted Murder
Judge Edward DeCaro Sets Preliminary Hearing Date for June 19
Phillip Kenneth Matovich, 26, the naked man arrested for attempted murder on May 17 was arraigned Thursday at the Santa Barbara Superior Court by Commissioner Edward DeCaro. Represented by Public Defender Mark Owens, Matovich entered pleas of not guilty to the nine felony counts with which he was charged. His preliminary hearing will be held on Thursday, June 19, at 8 a.m., under Judge George Eskin.
The felonies Matovich was charged with include two counts of first degree burglary, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of criminal threats, and two counts of false imprisonments by violence. According to Santa Barbara Police, Matovich was arrested after breaking into a house on Ladero Street, removing his clothes, threatening to murder the house’s inhabitants, and then running from police to another house for a repeat performance. Police say Matovich was tasered and apprehended while attempting to hold a woman hostage in the second house.
Also charged with three counts of probation violation, the probation office filed a no bail probation hold against Matovich, while his bail for the other nine counts was set at $500,000.
