MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Controversial local talk show host Thaddeus Matthews appeared in a Shelby County courtroom Friday for his child porn case.
The last time Matthews was at the Criminal Justice Center he went off on a profanity-filled tirade aimed at the media. This time, he decided to abort the confrontational image.
His lawyer, Steve Farese, did what many thought was impossible. He silenced the self-proclaimed "baddest man on the radio."
"He's not allowed to speak," Farese said.
Matthews' demeanor at court was much different than when he appeared two weeks ago. At that time Matthews was visibly upset and frustrated with all the media attention.
"I'm pretty f****** tired of it now."
The outspoken talk show host is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor after he posted an image on his Facebook page of a child being forced to perform a sex act on a man. Matthews said he did it to help.
"We've got a person here who was trying to do good, not bad," said Farese. "If a person is trying to help a victim, you would think they would not be prosecuted."
But Matthews is being prosecuted, something that baffles Farese.
"The law is the law," he said. "What we have to look to is what was the intent."
Matthews is out of jail on a $100,000 bond. He's scheduled to be back in court January 17th.
