HAYWARD, Calif. – A man charged in a California kidnapping that police initially dismissed as a hoax has pleaded no contest in a separate home invasion.
Prosecutors say Matthew Muller entered the plea Friday to attempted robbery and assault charges. The Oakland Tribune reports he collapsed and had to be revived in court before pleading.
Authorities say Muller broke into a San Francisco Bay Area home in June and attempted to tie up the residents but the husband fought back.
A cellphone at the scene led authorities to Muller and evidence they used to tie him to the March kidnapping of Denise Huskins from her Vallejo home.
Vallejo police initially said the kidnapping was a hoax and have since apologized.
Muller's attorney, Thomas Johnson, has said his client will plead not guilty to the federal kidnapping charge.
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