A trial date of Sept. 29 has been set for a man accused of holding two people hostage at a Chula Vista retirement center with a butter knife.
A 91-year-old resident of the Frederica Manor and a 25-year-old nurse were allegedly held captive on April 3 by Brian Michael Phillips, 31, who is also charged with elder abuse and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
One of the victims testified at the July 27 preliminary hearing in Chula Vista Superior Court and Phillips was ordered to stand trial by Judge Stephanie Sontag, according to court records. He is also accused of burglary.
Phillips pleaded not guilty Aug.10 to all seven charges and Judge Ana Espana set the trial date. He remains in the central jail on $500,000 bail.
Chula Vista Police responded to a 6:45 p.m. call from someone who said someone had broken into a unit at Frederick Manor at 183 Third Avenue. Phillips left before SWAT units arrived and he was arrested outside. The victims were shaken, but not injured.
