ESSEX, Conn. (WTNH) — An 18-year-old man from Essex who allegedly stabbed his father to death faced a judge Monday at Middletown Superior Court.

Matthew Craig, who shares the same name as his father, 36-year-old Matthew Craig, called police at about 1 a.m. Saturday to say that he’d stabbed someone, according to state police.

Troopers responded to Main Street in the Ivoryton area of Essex, where they found Craig with multiple stab wounds in the chest and back. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Richard Gudis, the 18-year-old’s attorney, said his client was trying to save the life of his father’s girlfriend when he stabbed him early Saturday morning.

According to court papers, Craig told police his father had just gotten out of an inpatient program after he had a psychotic break and was not taking his medication for his diagnoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Craig and his girlfriend were staying at his father’s girlfriend’s apartment, which she shares with her 9-year-old daughter on Plains Road in Essex. Craig said his father came to the apartment at 3:41 a.m. and started fighting with his girlfriend and physically attacking her, court documents said.

Craig’s attorney said he believed his father was going to choke his girlfriend when he took a knife out and allegedly stabbed his father in the back multiple times.

The chief medical examiner’s office said Craig died of stab wounds to the neck and torso and ruled his death a homicide.

Investigators said they spoke with two witnesses, who claimed the person killed was involved in a domestic dispute incident before Craig intervened.

Craig was transported to the Hartford Correctional Center, where he was charged with first-degree manslaughter. Due to a minor being present in the home at the time of the stabbing, state police said Craig was also charged with the risk of injury to a minor.

The judge reduced Craig’s bond from $250,000 to $50,000. Craig is under both IPS and GPS monitoring, and as part of his release, he is on a 24/7 lockdown and has to live with his mother. He is due back in court on Nov. 13.

News 8 learned that Craig has no criminal convictions but was arrested for larceny of a motor vehicle over the summer.