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Assistant coach Matt Kuti pleads not guilty to OVI, domestic violence
By KALEA HALL
boardman
Matthew Kuti, who worked this past season as an assistant wrestling coach for Austintown Middle School, pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence and operating a vehicle while impaired.
Judge Joseph Houser on Tuesday in Mahoning County Area Court in Boardmangave Kuti a $3,500 cash or surety bond.
Kuti, 25, of Helena Avenue in Youngstown, told the judge he wanted to waive his right to a speedy trial, that he would be posting bond and had hired an attorney.
Also, Kuti was arraigned in Youngstown Municipal Court on Monday afternoon on charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Kuti posted the 10 percent needed on a $1,500 bond and $2,000 bond in Youngstown, according to court records.
Kuti was hired by the Austintown school district on a nonrenewal, supplemental contract. He made $3,400 as an assistant coach for the first time this past season, which ended last week.
All of the charges stem from the same incident.
Kuti was arrested early Saturday after an investigation into a domestic-violence accusation. Police were called to First Place Bank on Market Street and told by witnesses they saw a man chase after a woman, slap her and then punch her. The woman had a cut on her lip and a bruise on her cheek, according to a police report.
The man sped off in his vehicle after the incident, according to witnesses. Police located the suspect, identified as Kuti, at his residence on Helena Avenue.
Police say Kuti ignored their efforts to talk to him. Instead, he reportedly slammed the door shut and told police they needed a warrant for his arrest.
Youngstown police came out to help set up a perimeter around the house and, eventually, they were able to arrest him.
He continued to be “uncooperative,” according to police, when he was taken into custody.
Police suspected Kuti to be intoxicated because of his slurred speech, glassy eyes and a flushed face.
He refused a breath-alcohol test while in custody.
His pretrial hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. April 8 in Boardman court on charges of domestic violence and OVI.
In municipal court his pretrial hearing is set for 10:45 a.m. March 3.