Local briefs

A San Carlos woman accused of threatening two Child Protective Services workers investigating child abuse claims that later proved unsubstantiated will stand trial, a judge ruled yesterday

Wendy Cheung, 48, was held to answer on two felony counts of making criminal threats after a preliminary hearing on the evidence. A defense request to lower the charges to misdemeanors was denied. On Thursday, Dec. 13, according to the District Attorney’s Office, Cheung threatened two CPS employees investigating allegations of child abuse by another person in the household. The workers later determined the claim was unsubstantiated.

Cheung has a lengthy history of mental health contact, according to prosecutors, but court records show no prior criminal convictions in San Mateo County.

Cheung remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail. She returns to court Jan. 10 to enter a Superior Court plea and set a trial date.

No contest plea in bowling alley assault

A 31-year-old man accused of shooting two people after an argument outside Serra Bowl in Daly City two years ago pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon to avoid trial on three counts of attempted murder.

Nathan Matthews took a new prosecution offer and was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison — three years for assault with a gun plus five years for a great bodily injury enhancement. Matthews receives more than two years credit for time served since his arrest. He has been in custody in lieu of $5 million bail. Around midnight Oct. 8, 2005, Matthews was outside the bowling alley when a woman said hello to his friend, Antonio Collaco, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Matthews reportedly became angry with the woman and began arguing. Collaco gave Matthews a handgun with which he shot toward the woman, striking a member of her family and a bystander, prosecutors contend.

On Sept. 11 2006, , Collaco pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to two years in prison.