Eugene Matthews to remain in jail as he awaits murder trial

Eugene Matthews has been denied bond again as he awaits trial on murder and attempted murder charges in connection to the January shooting outside his home.

Matthews is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm. If convicted, Matthews, 84, faces up to life in prison.

Since the Jan. 10 shooting outside his home and his subsequent arrest, Matthews has been held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

Despite numerous attempts, Matthews will remain in jail until his upcoming trial set during the two-week trial period that begins Feb. 12.

Circuit Judge Brian Iten denied Matthews’ most recent request last week, according to court records.

Defense attorney Scott Rieth had cited a medical reason in this last attempt to get his client released. Matthews needs to have surgery to remove a cancerous melanoma from his right hand.

Matthews and his defense have not denied that he shot at Rebecca Rawson, her daughter and ex-brother-in-law, striking Rawson and killing her. Instead, Matthews’ defense has argued he has a self-defense claim under Florida’s “Stand your ground” law. While he was denied immunity by the judge, he could still argue self-defense at trial.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Eugene Matthews to remain in jail as he awaits murder trial."