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Man Accused In Vallejo Kidnapping Makes First Court Appearance

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A disbarred Harvard University-trained attorney has made his first court appearance on a charge that he kidnapped a California woman in a case that police initially dismissed as a hoax.

Matthew Muller appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Monday and is due back in two weeks, at which time he may enter a plea. His attorney has said he plans to plead not guilty.

Muller is accused of kidnapping Denise Huskins in March from her Vallejo home. After Huskins reappeared two days later, Vallejo police said at a news conference the kidnapping was a hoax. They have since apologized.

Huskins has filed a claim against the city seeking unspecified monetary damages.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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