People's Park tree-sitter charged with attempted murder

[cali]

Berkeleyside

By Frances Dinkelspiel

UC police have charged a man who has been sitting in a tree in People's Park for the last three months with attempted murder.

Matthew Dodt, 54, was arrested around 3:15 am after a six-hour standoff, according to Lt. Mark Decoulode of the UC Berkeley police department.

Dodt allegedly stabbed a man who had climbed up into the tree for a conversation, said Lt. Decoulode. Dodt allegedly aimed for the man's neck, but the man reached his hand up to his neck, deflecting the blow. The knife sliced the victim's hand. He was treated at a local hospital and released.

Police were called to the scene around 9 pm, but Dodt refused to come down from the tree, said Lt. Decoulode. He finally agreed to descend six hours later after police brought in a cherry picker and some ladders. He was then arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in the Alameda County jail.


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