Santa Barbara businessman facing 13 felonies gets new attorney

A Santa Barbara businessman facing 13 felonies now has a new attorney.

Michael Stinchfield appeared in court Friday for a settlement conference, but negotiations were pushed back.

Stinchfield has pleaded not guilty to felony charges after two women claimed he held them hostage in his Garden Street home on Nov. 2.

The invited guests told police Stinchfield beat them with a baseball bat and threatened to kill them before they were able to escape.

This is Stinchield’s now third attorney. In earlier proceedings, requests for a public defender were denied after the judge reviewed the defendant’s lengthy property list, which includes four-plus homes in the Santa Barbara area.

Stinchfield’s next court appearance is set for June 21.