Matt Engarde

Matt Engarde is the star of the Nickel Samurai and the defendant in Case 2-4, who hides a dark secret about his personality.

Name
His last name possibly comes from the feud he had with the victim, Juan Corrida. It may also have to do with his duel personality, as he is "on guard" with his ditzy personality to protect himself from any dangers that may arise.

Background
Two years prior to Farewell, My Turnabout, Engarde was dating his former manager Celeste Inpax. Adrian Andrews, who later became Engarde's manager described them as being happy. However, he was just toying with Ms. Inpax and threw her away, breaking the young woman's heart. When he learned that his rival, Juan Corrida, had been dating Celeste and planned to marry her, Engarde decided to make his move where it would hurt Corrida the most: he confessed to dating her before Celeste met Juan. Heartbroken again, Celeste Inpax hanged herself, allegedly leaving a suicide note that was hidden by the man who found her body, Juan Corrida.

For the remaining years, the two men continued their rivalry with Matt rising to the top of his acting career. Juan, however, had been conspiring with Matt's manager, Adrian Andrews, to disclose information that would destroy Engarde's "refreshing like a spring breeze" image and his reputation as an actor. Realizing that Corrida was a threat, Engarde decided to purchase spy cameras to keep close tabs on him and eventually hired someone to kill him for the bear figurine that contained Celeste's suicide note: a professional assassin who goes by the name of "Shelly de Killer."

On the night of the murder, Engarde was arrested for Juan's death because of evidence planted by his manager. As a result, the assassin he hired had to get help by abducting Maya Fey to hold for ransom. The ransom is a complete acquittal for Matt Engarde, and the attorney de Killer chooses to represent the young star in court is none other than Phoenix Wright.

When Phoenix and Maya's little cousin, Pearl go to meet him for the first time, Engarde is a seemingly careless young man who has no control of his own life. However, after the first trial, Phoenix eventually discovers that the camera stuffed in a giant stuffed bear at the crime scene (Corrida's room at the Gatewater Hotel) was purchased by Matt Engarde himself and fears that his own client may be de Killer's, as he ponders about Maya's safety. Phoenix and Pearl confront Engarde at the Detention Center and accuse him of hiring the hitman to assassinate Juan Corrida. Their worst fears are confirmed when Engarde finally shows his true colors: he flips his hair back to reveal three scars on his right eye and shows that he is a manipulative, backstabbing sociopath who places his trust in absolutely no one, not even assassins. He planted the camera at the crime scene so that can use a videotape to blackmail Shelly de Killer.

This plan proves to be his ultimate downfall, however, as Franziska von Karma brings in the videotape, along with two other pieces of evidence, that contains footage of the murder. When Phoenix tells de Killer of his client's plans of blackmail, the assassin feels as if he was deceived from the start. He threatens to kill Engarde, since he is now a traitor and releases Maya, putting an end to Phoenix's difficult situation. Engarde, sweating like crazy, is now begging for a guilty verdict at the bottom of his heart. No matter which plea the players choose, the outcome is the same: Matt Engarde breaks down, ripping new scars into his face saying that he is guilty for the murder of Juan Corrida through Shelly de Killer.