CLEARFIELD – Arguments were heard in court on Tuesday in a Clearfield man’s assault case.
Matt Houser is charged with one count of a first degree felony aggravated assault, a misdemeanor count of simple assault and a summary count of harassment.
Houser was accused of breaking into his on-again, off-again girlfriend’s apartment and beating a man sleeping in her/their bed.
Gary Knaresboro, Houser’s attorney, asked Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to modify Houser’s bail. Houser was recently placed in Clearfield County Jail after reportedly violating conditions of bail that were initially set in the case. Assistant District Attorney Leanne Nedza said the violation involved Houser being in a bar in Brockway and allegedly confronting/threatening a member of the alleged victim’s family
Since that happened Houser has been without a set bail amount. Knaresboro asked Ammerman to set a bail amount.
“Does somebody actually have a right to bail after it’s been revoked,” Ammerman asked the attorneys.
Ammerman asked the attorneys if they had ever researched the matter. Both said they had not.
“If you’re going to set it, set it high,” said Nedza.
She noted that while Houser had previously posted bond on $50,000 bail, “It wasn’t enough incentive for him not to get in trouble.”
“Circumstances have changed,” said Knaresboro. “He’s trying to get his life on track. He just wants to put this behind him.”
“As a former police officer you think he’d be able stay out of these situations,” commented Ammerman.
After hearing both arguments Ammerman granted Knaresboro’s motion and set Houser’s bail at $100,000.
