CANTON ‒ A judge said he increased the bond for a man accused of killing his roommate because the suspect tried to break out of the Stark County Jail on July 3.
Judge Dennis E. Barr raised the bond for Daniel Z. Mattay to $1.5 million at an arraignment held July 7 in Canton Municipal Court, an increase over the $1 million bond set July 4.
Daniel Mattay, 33, is arraigned over video before Canton Municipal Court Judge Dennis E. Barr on charges of murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death of Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey, 26.
Mattay, 33, is charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the presumed death of Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey, 26, of northwest Canton.
Canton Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert had asked for the bond to remain at $1 million, and defense attorney Aaron Kovalchik did not object.
Ryan Godbey case Police file murder charge against ex-boyfriend Daniel Mattay
But Barr said that Mattay’s additional charges of attempted escape and vandalism indicate he is not willing to appear in court.
Charges filed by the Stark County Sheriff’s Office allege Mattay damaged ceiling tiles and duct work inside the visitation area of the jail while trying to escape.
Tears run down the face of Jackie Godbey as she talks about circumstances of her son Ryan “JJ” Godbey’s death following the suspect’s July 7 court hearing. Daniel Mattay, 33, who is charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death.
The criminal complaint against Mattay alleges that he beat and strangled Godbey, causing his death.
Godbey’s body has not been found. No motive has been identified.
Erchick Gilbert declined to elaborate on the evidence that led to the filing of a murder charge without locating Godbey’s body.
Canton Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert speaks after Daniel Mattay, 33, is arraigned on charges of murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death of Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey, 26.
Godbey, 26, was last seen June 19 at Darlin’s CREW, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Canton. His last known text, sent to a friend at 12:27 a.m. June 20, said that a man named Danny was upset. He did not reply to a text from his friend.
Charges filed: Two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan Godbey appear in court
Who is Canton murder suspect Danny Mattay?
Mattay and a 38-year-old woman had previously been charged with criminal trespass and aggravated possession of drugs after being arrested June 24 in a vacant building in the 1200 block of Walnut Avenue NE. Detectives had gone to the location to speak with them about Godbey’s disappearance.
Court records describe Mattay as homeless in Massillon, but Canton police records state that he lived with Godbey in Canton. Erchick Gilbert said Mattay’s address for parole purposes was Godbey’s apartment, although Mattay may have been somewhat transient.
Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey
Missing man: Canton police searching with ‘urgency’ for missing person last seen at LGBTQ+ club
Court records show that Mattay has been convicted of several violent crimes in Stark County since July 2023, including felony domestic violence, felony victim intimidation, felony vehicular vandalism, felony obstructing official business,disorderly conduct and assault.
He also was convicted in 2011 for domestic battery in Las Vegas, court records show.
Family and friends of Ryan Godbey join a circle in the lobby of Canton Municipal Court following the arraignment of murder suspect Daniel Mattay. The 33-year-old is charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death of Godbey, 26,. whose body has not been found.
Ryan Godbey’s mother mourns his ‘senseless’ death
Jackie Godbey, the victim’s mother, said Mattay had been living with her son, but that Ryan had told Mattay he needed to move out by July 1.
“This is a heinous, senseless, violent crime,” she said. “There is no reason or justification for the actions, for the murder of my son. I would like my son home. I would like my son to have a proper burial. He was murdered, and the parasite that did this isn’t even decent enough to let us know what he did with my son’s body.”
Ryan Godbey was a graduate of Massillon Washington High School where he participated in bands, choir and the swim team. He had worked at the Massillon Recreation Center as a lifeguard, swimming teacher and water aerobics instructor.Jackie Godbey said Ryan and another lifeguard saved the life of a man who had a heart attack at the Massillon Recreation Center in 2017. They gave him CPR in the locker room.
Jackie Godbey smiles while remembering a song special to her and her son Ryan Godbey. She spoke following the arraignment of Daniel Mattay, 33, who is charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with Ryan’s presumed death.
Ryan was a member of the LGBTQ+ community who had started performing in drag.
Mattay’s next scheduled court appearance is a preliminary hearing on July 11. He appeared July 7 in municipal court over a video link to the county jail.
‘Bring Ryan home!’ Supporters call for Ryan Godbey’s safe return
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
Jackie Godbey talks about her son Ryan “JJ” Godbey following the arraignment of Daniel Mattay, 33, who is charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death of Ryan.
Daniel Mattay, 33, is arraigned over video before Judge Dennis E. Barr on charges of murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with the death of Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey, 26, of northwest Canton.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Judge increases bond for Daniel Mattay in Ryan Godbey murder case