SLO man accused of molesting two girls will stand trial, judge rules
Correction: This article has been updated to correct an error about Judge John Trice’s ruling. Trice dismissed two of nine felony counts, and one of four accompanying criminal enhancements, filed against Betts.
The case against a San Luis Obispo man accused of sexually abusing two girls will move toward trial after a judge dismissed two felony charges Thursday, but ruled there was enough evidence to proceed on seven others.
Matthew Roland Betts, 44, faced charges of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, lewd acts on a child with force and sexual penetration of a victim under the age of 10. Those charges include various criminal enhancements, one of which carries a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge John Trice heard testimony from a San Luis Obispo Police Department detective who interviewed the alleged victims.
Betts, a contractor, was arrested in March after he allegedly inappropriately touched the 8-year-old daughter of a client who witnessed the abuse, Det. Suzie Aanerud testified. He was arrested again in June after investigators contacted a 13-year-old girl — a daughter of Betts’ former girlfriend — whom Betts repeatedly abused in 2012, Aanerud said.
While the detective looked on during the interview, the 13-year-old sent a text message recounting the abuse to Betts, who allegedly acknowledged the incidents.
At the end of the hearing, Trice took under submission an argument from Betts’ attorney, Jeffry Radding, that the lewd acts with force charges should be dismissed. Trice ruled there was no force involved and dismissed those charges, as well as an accompanying enhancement, on Thursday.
Trice also denied a motion by the California Attorney General’s Office to suspend Betts’ state contractor’s license.
Betts is out of custody on $250,000 bail with an order not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 with the exception of his daughter, according to court records. He is due back in court Oct. 12.
This story was originally published September 30, 2016 at 3:37 PM with the headline "SLO man accused of molesting two girls will stand trial, judge rules."