BROCKTON — A man who was thrown out of his house by his wife three days earlier returned early Tuesday morning and set the home on fire – trying to kill his wife and the two homeowners, a prosecutor said.
Matthew Eldredge, 35, pleaded not guilty Tuesday during his arraignment in Brockton District Court on three counts of attempted murder and single counts each of arson of a dwelling, domestic violence assault and battery and breaking and entering during the night.
Assistant District Attorney Danielle Cruz said Eldredge set the multi-family house at 9 Highland St. on fire in attempt to kill his wife, who had broken their relationship off three days earlier, and the two homeowners, who they had been sharing an apartment with. Eleven people in all were living in the building.
The homeowners, Warren Dougan and Kathryn Perry-Dougan, were taken by ambulance to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation as a result of the fire. In total, 11 people who live in the building were displaced, but no one else was injured.
Officers first responded to 9 Highland St. about 1:46 a.m. for a report of a break-in. Perry-Dougan called police to report a man named "Matt" broke into the home. Police said they could hear a lot of screaming in the background of the 911 call.
"They then exited their bedroom to investigate the yelling and observed (Eldredge) punching her in the face," Cruz said.
Three patrol officers and a sergeant responded to investigate, but cleared about 2 a.m. because the suspect had left the area.
Then, about 2:25 a.m., police sent several officers back to the multi-family home because the same man was back and "pouring gasoline over everything," the dispatcher said over the radio.
The two homeowners looked out the window and told police they noticed Eldredge holding a red gasoline container.
"He poured an unknown liquid substance, which they assumed to be gasoline, on the exterior entrance and exit doors of the house," Cruz said. "Moments later, the front entrance to the house was engulfed in flames and they had to exit through a rear door."
Firefighters responded and quickly extinguished a fire on the front steps area to the three-family home.
When police searched the area for the suspect, who was believed to have fled down Goddard Road, they located a jacket on West Elm Street. They then found Eldredge hiding on Ellsworth Street about 3:15 a.m. and took him into custody, Cruz said.
"When they found him, he reeked of gasoline," Cruz said. "His clothes were soaked in gasoline."
Officers searched Eldredge and located an orange lighter on his person, the prosecutor said.
Eldredge, who lists his address at 54 North Main St., the Father Bill's and MainSpring homeless shelter, was represented at his arraignment by attorney William Gillespie.
Cruz asked Judge Paula Clifford to hold the defendant without bail pending a detention hearing. She also asked that Eldredge's bail be revoked on an open case.
Eldredge assaulted his 41-year-old wife in a parking garage in the city on Dec. 2, Cruz said. He was released on personal recognizance after previously being arraigned on that case, with the condition he have no contact and stay away from his wife, the victim.
Cruz said Eldredge was in violation of the conditions of his release by having contact with his wife.
Eldredge's court-appointed defense attorney, Gillespie, asked the judge not to revoke his bail on the open assault case, but agreed for him to be held pending a dangerousness hearing.
On Highland Street, city firefighters, police officers and state fire marshal's office investigators spent hours probing the arson fire. A deputy with the Plymouth County Bureau or Criminal Investigation responded to document evidence and photograph the scene, including the red gasoline can that was left outside the home.
The Red Cross is assisting the 11 residents, including children, who were displaced.
Eldredge is due back in court on Feb. 20 for a dangerousness hearing.
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