PALM HARBOR, Fla. A 37-year-old man, Matthew Weldon, facing charges of second-degree murder for an incident in an exclusive Ozona neighborhood in Palm Harbor, made his initial court appearance before a Pinellas County Judge on Thursday.
Weldon, 37, is accused of the homicide of 49-year-old Carroll Bryan following a contentious dispute regarding a car that Weldon had lent to Bryan, as stated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
During the Thursday hearing, Weldon requested a public defender, citing a lack of personal funds to hire an attorney. Although the residence Weldon occupies is appraised at nearly $2 million, public records reveal it is owned by a trust.
The judge inquired whether Weldon possessed any cash, stocks, or bonds. Weldon responded, “unfortunately no.”
The judge further questioned if he had any vehicles that could serve as collateral. Weldon acknowledged owning two cars, including a Jaguar, but claimed they were of low value and that he was still making payments on them.
The judge then cautioned Weldon to consider his answers thoroughly, warning that he could be charged with perjury.
Subsequently, the judge ordered that Weldon be held without bond and scheduled a new hearing for Friday morning to determine if he can secure funds for his own legal representation.
