Lindsay Lohan theft case is reduced to a misdemeanor

In a legal victory for Lindsay Lohan, a judge Friday reduced the charge the actress faces for allegedly stealing a necklace from a felony to a misdemeanor.

The change greatly reduces the amount of jail time the star could face if convicted. It also opens the door to possible settlement talks.

Prosecutor Danette Meyers said she will seek to overturn Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner's decision, which would limit how long Lohan could serve in jail to no more than one year.

The owner of a Venice jewelry store testified Friday that 10 minutes after she closed her store Jan. 22, she noticed that Lohan had left with a pricey necklace.

Sofia Kaman testified that Lohan had tried on the necklace and not removed it despite not paying for it nor working out a deal to borrow it.

Lohan faced a grand theft charge in connection with the missing necklace.

Her blond hair up in a bun and her diamond earrings and diamond ring shimmering against her black shirt, Lohan was a lively advisor Friday to her attorney, Shawn Holley, at the Airport Courthouse.

Kaman said she would have stopped Lohan if she had seen the necklace. "Absolutely," she replied when asked the question.

Kaman testified that Lohan put her own necklace over the store's necklace. The store owner said she reported the alleged crime to police the next day after watching a security camera tape.

She said the necklace was acquired for $850 and sold for three times that amount, a standard industry practice. Her statement was elicited by the prosecutor in an attempt to undercut efforts by Lohan's attorney to drop the necklace's value to less than $950, making the alleged crime a misdemeanor.

Kaman said the jewelry store was under constant harassment by the media for licensing the security video, which she said was done under a lawyer's advice to get out a "non-altered and authentic" version of the video.

She said a licensing advisor sought to air it on pay-per-view, which she opposed. Kaman said the store has not received any money from the video licensing.

Later, Holley asked Kaman whether Lohan was wearing an "extremely low-cut top" with her "cleavage exposed" and her neck visible, and Kaman agreed the actress' neck and cleavage were visible.

Kaman also said that after Lohan put on the necklace, the actress looked at it several times in the mirror over about a half-hour period before leaving.

Kaman acknowledged she initially thought Lohan had put the necklace in her handbag, based on an early look at the security camera video, but that she later saw from the video that the actress had it around her neck when she walked out.

Earlier, a worker at the Kamofie and Co. store testified that four days before a necklace went missing, Lohan had almost walked out of the shop with a diamond earring in her ear.

Tinelli Comsooksri testified that Lohan tried on a pair of earrings Jan. 18 and put one down but left one in her ear.

As Lohan was leaving, the store employee testified, "I reminded her she had one earring in." Comsooksri said Lohan replied that "she was sorry."

The sales assistant said she emailed her bosses after the incident to inform them about what happened.

RELATED:

Shop owner testifies she noticed necklace was missing 10 minutes after closing

Lohan almost left jewelry store with diamond earring, saleswoman testifies

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

-- Richard Winton at Los Angeles County Superior Court

Photo: Lindsay Lohan, left, arrives with her lawyer, Shawn Holley, for a preliminary hearing, Friday at the Airport Courthouse. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Comments

[George]

How can we take the justice system if this chick gets away with this crap.Oh yes if you have money the judges will let you walk and hope they get invited to the next train wrecks paerty.SHAME ON THE JUDGE

[Jenny]

She wasn't all that victorious today. Sure, it's a big deal that the felony was reduced to a misdemeanor, but she's found in violation of her probation and she's been ordered to stand trial, because there is enough evidence to find she did steal the necklace. She's still in big trouble regardless.

[John]

Famous or rich, she is really just another every day garden variety crook.

[judge judy]

why? how can you write a story and not explain why the judge reduced the charge? Doesn't the judge give a reason? Wouldn't the prosecutor give a reason? Wouldn't the prosecutor comment on the reduction? Is it common for a judge to reduce a charge based on prior convictions, or lack of? Absolutely zero context.

[Lee Gregory]

I am a law abiding white male. I say that so that there is no hidden agenda. These court actions are beginning to look ridicules. How could anyone not know that if this person were not a celebrity this would of turned out completely different. All Women of less means should be outraged. "Justice is blind" is a tragic joke played in America. Lohan again gets to laugh in the face of all of us

[FRANKY]

If the store clerk forgot that she was waring it when she let her out of the store why cant Lindsay? Everyone thinks so poorly of her that she doesnt get the benefit of the doubt.

[Tom]

The store owner's testimony only helps Lindsay more. If the store owner forgot about the necklace and couldn't see it, then why should Lindsay be expected to remember? It's the owner's responsibility. If Lindsay had accidentally worn the earring before, they should have known she is forgetful. Clearly the owner is baiting customers to make these mistakes. Clearly the owner is equally forgetful. You can't lock a person up for being forgetful!!!

[PGelsman]

Well, it looks like there really are 2 sets of laws in this country. Those for the rich and famous, and those for the rest of us.
I am disgusted!

[The Advocate]

I'm glad that ADA Danette Meyers has put an end to this one woman crime wave!

[Pete Sake]

Poor Lindsay, I think it's time we let her off the hook to try to engage in therepy on her own. She needs some private time to heal without the scrutiny of the public eye tripping her every move. Let her go hollywood.

[BonnyBrown]

How many breaks is the pathetic "justice" system going to give this girl. What the hell is wrong with CA.

[Tominscotts]

I am really happy the judge ruled this way. I believe that Linsday is trying to turn her life in a positive direction and this can only help her to continue with that endeavor.

[johnnylee]

The California Penal Code states that any items stolen with a dollar value in excess of $400 is deemed to be a Felony. The necklace was valued at $950. Dont know how Lohan's Attorney managed to get the Judge to drop it down to a Misdemeanor without some type of Plea Agreement.

[brock]

So why was the case reduced from felony to misdemeanor?
Come on Times, do your job!

[mickeba]

Does this mean if I steal a car, cos the materials cost just a few thousand, that it's no longer grand theft? What a world! Celebrity debris like this get away with it all.

[DG3]

Justice in Hollywood.

Pathetic.

[Decent American]

Hey Judge - look at 487 of the Penal Code - GRAND THEFT! There are two types of justice in Los Angeles. Rich White and everyone else!

[bob cuomo]

First off, I wouldn't classify Lindsay Lohan as a star...she's hasn't earned that distinction. That said, it's really not that surprising that the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. Now, let's hope Judge Sautner doesn't go all lenient on her. Lohan deserves some jail time...and not only four or five days because of "overcrowding."

[Ome-Coatl]

Don't worry, the County Sheriff will personally drive down there to get her out within 12 hours, claiming "National Security Interests". And he will provide Lohan a Sheriff's escort all the way back to her Beverly Hills home (sirens blaring the whole way).
In a press conference afterwards, the Sheriff will announce that "Justice has triumphed over criminality and that all non-famous people will continue to serve their full sentences...especially if you aren't white."

[Dennis]

How much is this circus costing the citizens of LA county? Can we at least bill her for PR, court costs, extra security, etc.? She's been to court at least three times over an obvious theft charge. There's video, there's testimony and there is other incriminating evidence that she wanted to steal it all along. I'm sure there are psychological reasons, but enough is enough. Just because she can afford to tie up the courts doesn't mean she should get this extreme treatment.
Bill her the real court costs, sentence her and be done with it.

[Will]

You think the avrage joe would have gotten such a good deal they always go by the retale price by my experience as lost prevention

[tremayfreon caudwell]

did this loser not know the retail price of the necklace before she stole it? of course she did; a salesperson having showed it to her fresh from its case. ms lohan KNEW the price was $2500. she BELIEVED the appraised worth of the necklace would be $2500 (after all, jewelers don't sell $2500 necklaces that are appraised for only $850!).

the felony charge should NOT have been dropped. and ms lohan should be convicted of said felony, and should be sentenced for the entire three years.

[Rocco]

A 300% markup should also be a crime. Lock up Sofia.

[anne]

A deliberate attempt to steal TWICE and it's a misdemeanor? I've heard of families enabling addicts and bad behavior--but not courts. Ordinary citizens count on the justice system to protect us---this makes it a joke.

[Mark]

Kaman said the store has not received any money from the video licensing.

Yeah, and the pope's Jewish.