about

Matt Engarde is the defendant in the final trial of Phoenix Wright Justice for All. He is an action star famous for playing the Nickel Samurai, and finds himself accused of murdering his rival, Juan Corrida. On the surface, Matt is a naive, trusting man who relies on his manager for everything, and can often be found phoning her to make decisions for him. He comes across as a person who cares very little about his rivals.

[ Please be aware of spoilers in this next bit~ ]

It becomes apparent, however, that he is not all that he seems. It becomes apparent upon pressing him to reveal his secret, that he is not as innocent as he comes across. Underneath his naive exterior, he is calculating and sociopathic. He trusts no one and behaves the way he does in public so that he can gain their trust and use them for his own purposes.

Further into the trial, it is revealed that Matt once had a relationship with his former manager Celeste, who, after he dumped her for no apparent reason, moved on to his rival, Juan. Upon finding this out, Matt immediately revealed to him that they had once been lovers, and Juan called the wedding off. Because of this and the fact she was fed up of getting let down, Celeste committed suicide, and it was assumed that Juan, who found the body, stole her suicide note and will. Matt became worried that if the note and will was revealed, it would ruin his reputation, and set about getting it back at all costs.