Lawyer: Latrobe vet with PTSD wants to withdraw attempted murder plea for attack on wife, others

A Latrobe man told a Westmoreland County judge Tuesday he wants to withdraw a guilty plea to charges he attempted to kill three women in 2017.

Scott A. Matuszky, 47, said he received bad legal advice from his former lawyer when he pleaded guilty last year to attempted murder, aggravated assault and other offenses.

“At the time he entered the guilty plea, he was mislead. Based on information from his previous counsel, he doesn’t believe he knowingly entered into a guilty plea,” new attorney Greg Cecchetti said.

The assistant public defender said Matuszky believed several of the charges to which he pleaded guilty would be dismissed by Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger prior to his sentencing hearing.

Four previous sentencing hearings for Matuszky were postponed over the last year.

Police contended Matuszky, in an alcohol-fueled rage, stabbed his wife, stepdaughter and sister-in-law as they attempted to stop him from injuring himself on Oct. 7, 2017. According to court records, Matuszky stabbed the women as they attempted to calm him during the incident. Matuszky’s stepdaughter was stabbed as she attempted to shield her mother, police said.

Cecchetti said Matuszky needs a mental health evaluation to help craft a defense for a potential trial.

“He is suffering from PTSD as a result of his military service. He served in Somalia at the time of ‘Black Hawk Down’ and saw action. He was involved in three different actions and saw with his own eyes people he killed,” Cecchetti said.

Matuszky was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday but that hearing was canceled. Krieger said he will conduct a hearing as early as next month to determine if Matuszky can withdraw his guilty plea.

Assistant District Attorney Pete Caravello said Matuszky previously rejected a plea bargain deal that called for him to spend 7-1/2 to 15 years in prison.