The latest plea and trial setting hearing for attempted murder
suspect Anthony Hernandez, 23, was postponed.
The latest plea and trial setting hearing for attempted murder suspect Anthony Hernandez, 23, was postponed.
Monday’s hearing at South County Courthouse was rescheduled for Oct. 11 at the same venue, according to Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Lisa McCrary.
Hernandez, of Morgan Hill, is charged with attempted murder in relation to an altercation in which he allegedly stabbed the father of his girlfriend seven times in the back April 29, 2010.
Police said Hernandez stabbed Matt Benoit, 36, with a pocket knife outside the Villa Teresa apartment complex on Berry Court.
Police also said after the stabbing – the result of a verbal altercation that escalated – that Hernandez retrieved a handgun from his car and pointed it at Benoit, threatening to kill him.
Benoit told police he stopped by the complex, where Hernandez lived with his girlfriend, to visit his daughter.
After a brief exchange of unfriendly words between the two, Hernandez stabbed Benoit, police said. He reportedly told police that he thought the victim came to the apartment to “cause trouble.” Hernandez and other witnesses told police that he acted in self-defense.
Benoit said the stabbing was unprovoked.
If convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He remains in Santa Clara County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail while he awaits further hearings.
