Man Accused Of Bass Home Break-In Says He Didn't Know It Was Mayor's House: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — The 29-year-old man accused of breaking into Mayor Karen Bass' house last month says he was on a five-day methamphetamine binge, paranoid, sleep deprived and didn't know it was the mayor's house he was breaking into, according to an interview with KNX published Monday.

Ephraim Matthew Hunter spoke to KNX from Pitchess Detention Center North in Castaic, where he's being held on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty last month to one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary with a person present and vandalism causing damage of $400 or more.

Hunter is accused of breaking into the Getty House, the mayor's official Windsor Square residence, on April 21 at around 6:40 a.m. He broke a glass door and entered the home while Bass was inside with her daughter, son-in-law and newborn grandson. He tried to get into the bedroom doors and was able to call out the name of one of the occupants, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Authorities say Hunter targeted the mayor's house, which he denies.

Hunter told KNX that while on a five-day methamphetamine binge, he was riding a bus on Wilshire Boulevard when another passenger got on board. Thinking that person was after him, he told the driver to stop the bus — which was how he ended up in Bass' neighborhood, KNX reported.

He found his way into the mayor's house because he was looking for a place to hide: He said he had no idea the home was Bass', KNX reported.

Hunter told KNX that reports that he called out for "Karen" were incorrect: He believes in his drug-induced state of mind, he was calling out for his brother, whose name is Aaron, KNX reported.

Hunter's mother, Josephine Duah, told DailyMail.com last month that her son is "losing his mind" and needs help for his mental health.

In 2015, Hunter was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and assault and battery for allegedly joining three other people in attacking a man in Massachusetts. According to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office, the assailants attacked the victim with a hammer and a snow brush. Police found the victim unconscious and he was taken to a Boston hospital and survived his injuries.

Hunter and three other suspects were found in a van with a hammer, a shoe believed to belong to the victim, the victim's pants and some blood in the van's door area, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office.

According to court records, Hunter was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Read more from Hunter's interview at KNX.