Mathews Bound Over; Testimony Outlines Dispute, Gunfire
South Russell Village resident Emmanuel Mathews, who was recently charged with felonious assault, appeared May 5 in Chardon Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing related to the April 21 shooting of David Mattai at Centerville Mills Park in Bainbridge Township.
South Russell Village resident Emmanuel Mathews, who was recently charged with felonious assault, appeared May 5 in Chardon Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing related to the April 21 shooting of David Mattai at Centerville Mills Park in Bainbridge Township.
Following testimony and presentation of evidence, Judge Terri Stupica found probable cause and ruled the case will be bound over to a Geauga County grand jury.
Special Prosecutor Seth Enlow represented the state. Mattai did not attend the hearing due to his medical condition.
“By the end of this hearing, I will ask this court to find probable cause that Mr. Mathews committed this offense to be bound over to the (Geauga County) Court of Common Pleas,” Enlow said.
Enlow called two witnesses, Bainbridge Township police officers Friedrich Kaufmann and Greg Boyles, and presented bodycam and cruiser footage from the officers.
Testimony indicated the April 21 incident began as a political discussion at a picnic table in the park’s dog area involving Mathews and another individual about President Donald Trump.
According to Kaufmann’s testimony, witness James Jedlinsky said Mattai interjected in the conversation, leading to an argument. Jedlinsky told Kaufmann Mattai was verbally aggressive and at one point, grabbed Mathews by the hair.
Kaufmann said Mattai left the area for approximately three to eight minutes before returning, though the exact timing remains unclear.
At some point during the altercation, Mattai allegedly said, “Oh you’ve got one, I’ve got one too,” referring to a weapon, according to Jedlinsky’s statement to police.
Kaufmann testified that Mathews then drew a firearm and shot Mattai in the back. Mattai returned fire as Mathews left the scene, but Mathews was not injured.
Kaufmann’s body camera footage showed Mattai on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.
“I observed several shell cases at the scene. What appeared to be a single 45 caliber shell spent shell casing and several nine millimeter spent shell casings,” Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann noted Jedlinsky had his back turned during parts of the incident and could not verify some crucial aspects of the exchange.
“It appears that Mr. Mattai was the initial aggressor,” Kaufmann said when asked whether Mathews initiated the confrontation.
Attorney Ian Friedman, representing Mathews, argued the shooting was an act of self-defense.
“I agree, (special Prosecutor Seth Enlow) that two weeks ago, there was an incident at the dog park in Bainbridge, Ohio, but what I believe will be different at the conclusion of the evidence is finding the understanding of what really did occur on that day,” Friedman said. “There was, in fact, a shooting, but Mr. Mathews clearly acted in self defense that day, and (was) acting reasonably, acting in response to the initial aggressor, Mr. Mattai. In this case, he was left with no choice but to take action, as he did, for fear of safety and well-being of his own life.”
Friedman also argued Boyles did not ask Mathews whether he acted in self-defense before arresting him after locating him pulled over with his headlights flashing on state Route 306.
Boyles testified he observed “several” bullet holes in Mathews’ vehicle and Mathews told him he was involved in the shooting.
Boyles said he then secured the vehicle and arrested Mathews.
Mathews, who posted his $50,000 April 24, is currently under house arrest with GPS monitoring, Friedman said.
“We look forward to more facts coming forward as this case keeps pointing to self
defense,” Friedman said when asked about a potential plea.
The case will now go before a grand jury for review.
