Suspect in Harry Mathis Beating Pleads Guilty

The man who beat up a former San Diego City Councilman during a violent home invasion robbery has admitted to all 11 counts charged against him including special allegations.

Harvey Duson entered the guilty plea in a downtown courtroom Monday afternoon and as a result, he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

In January when Harry Mathis and his wife returned to their University City home one night and were met by two armed men.

Mathis, currently chairman of the board for the Metropolitan transit system, was pistol whipped and then ordered into his bathroom along with his wife and a neighbor who noticed something wrong and came to help.

Duson, a parolee recently out of prison with a violent criminal past, was arrested a week later after a high-speed chase in Arizona.

His attorney said the evidence against his client was overwhelming and rather than drag the victims through a lengthy trial Duson elected to plead guilty.

The plea will mean Duson will spend at least 27 years in prison. That's the minimum, in all likelihood according to his attorney Duson will die in prison.

"I would say it's relatively rare I think in my 20 years I've never done this,” said attorney Stephen Cline. “Typically these cases go to trial the public.”

Mathis told NBC 7 San Diego that he and his wife are relieved to be able to soon bring partial closure to this ordeal with his sentencing, while at the same time noting that Mr. Duson's accomplice remains at large.