Lindsay Lohan could face employee of jewelry store accusing her of necklace theft

Lindsay Lohan is expected back in court Friday in her jewelry-theft case, and could face an employee of  the store accusing her of the theft.

Lohan faces grand-theft charges for allegedly stealing a necklace at a Venice store in January.

The actress has been adamantly opposed to a plea deal offered by a prior judge that would have seen her sentenced to no more than 90 days in jail.

"Ms. Lohan has maintained her innocence from the moment this case was filed, and she has never wavered," her attorney, Shawn Holley, said recently. "Though many advised her to follow the safe route by taking 'the deal,' the truth is, Ms. Lohan is innocent; she has a strong defense, and we are confident that a jury will listen to the evidence fairly and acquit her."

Prosecutor Danette Meyers, whose running for district attorney, is expected to call police detectives and at least one representative of the store during Friday's hearing, which is slated to last a day.

But underscoring the sometimes uncomfortable nexus between Hollywood's celebrity culture and L.A's judicial system, the jewelry store that reported the alleged theft to the Los Angeles Police Department sold surveillance video showing Lohan with the necklace to the media.

Holley is expected to try to exploit that act to charge that the spotlight and money motivated the crime report. Video from the store shows Lohan and a friend inside Kamofie & Company. On the video, the actress first tries on several other pieces of jewelry before putting on the $2,500 necklace.

She then talks to an employee about the necklace and seems in no hurry. After about 25 minutes, Lohan leaves the store with the necklace still around her neck. Sources told The Times that the tape is a key piece of evidence -- but not the only one. Paparazzi photos taken days later also show the actress wearing the necklace.

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Photos: The trials and tribulations of Lindsay Lohan

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Actress Lindsay Lohan, escorted by Los Angeles County Sherriff deputies, arrives for a preliminary hearing at Airport Courthouse Wednesday in Los Angeles. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

 

Comments

[Bob Dorff]

This is trumped-up nonsense. Lohan's actions clearly indicate the store employees were aware she was leaving wearing the necklace. They are trained to be watchful for anyone attempting to leave with merchandise that has not been purchased or taken on approval.
rdorff

[Patricia]

It sounds like she could have stolen the necklace, but it also sounds like she could have thought she was borrowing it, since they let her leave with the necklace in plain sight around her neck, and she wore the necklace out in public without anyone saying a word.

The necklace was being sold for $2,500, which makes it a felony, but it was valued at only $850, which makes it a misdemeanor.

There's too much reasonable doubt in this case for a conviction.

[Michael]

You and I go to court- we wait until our case is heard.
Lohan has been in out of court numerous times- since last year- each occurance a mockery- and circus- costing tax payers plenty with all the surrounding sheriffs, escorts , security. Once in court - case - continued to another day and so forth. This is so rediculous.

[Steve]

who is = who's, not whose

Lohan leaving the jewelry store wearing the necklace doesn't necessarily mean she didn't steal it; it could just mean she thought she could get away with it. She's a junkie, and craves drama. She can't get high, because she knows that's an instant ticket to jail, so she steals something, to create some drama in her life.

When the jewelry store disclosed that the necklace was gone, and that Lohan had it, did she immediately return it, saying it was all a misunderstanding, and remember you loaned it to me? She did not. She had one of her minions drop it off at the local police station, in a panic. That speaks volumes to me.

Good luck in jail, Lindsay.

[KP]

That sales associate should be fired. How do you NOT notice someone walking out with the necklace? I agree with the commenter above, this is all just a publicity stunt by the jewelry store.