A Juneau man who served one year in prison after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault for smashing a bottle against someone’s face two years ago was arraigned in court last week for a different offense.
Juneau Superior Court Judge Kevin Levy on Thursday told Lorenzo Jefferson, 48, he is charged with second-degree theft, a class ‘C’ felony, for an incident on or about Sept. 2.
Court documents show Jefferson was arrested on that date by Juneau police for stealing two chain saws out of the back of an unattended pick-up truck in the Walmart parking lot.
Walmart surveillance footage showed a man, allegedly Jefferson, driving through the parking lot, taking the items, then parking in a handicapped space near the entrance of the store to shop.
Jefferson later confessed to the police and told them “he took the chain saws from the back of the truck because he was looking out for (victim’s) best interest and didn’t want someone to steal them,” according to court records.
The chain saws are valued at an estimated $1,790.
Levy ordered Jefferson, who attended the hearing via telephone from Nome where he works, to submit a financial affidavit within 30 days in order to determine whether he can afford an attorney or whether one would be appointed to him. Levy also set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 24 and required Jefferson to sign an unsecured appearance bond by Saturday.
Jefferson was originally facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly smashing a bottle against another man’s face in Nov. 2009, but agreed to a plea deal for misdemeanor assault after inconsistencies arose in the victim’s story.
The now-retired Juneau Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins at the time agreed to the plea deal, though she called it a compromise, and ordered him to serve three years probation upon release from prison on the assault charge. She warned him if he broke probation, due to his extensive rap sheet, “You’re going back to jail, big time,” according to Empire archives.
Jefferson’s court record indicates he has been unable to abide by the law for more than a three-year period. Previous convictions include misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, misconduct involving weapons and harassment.
• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (22)
Add commentSmathers
I recently saw where Stephanie Smathers probation was being revoked.
Why !
Why is this moron out of jail in the first place ?
New reporter!
Keith Levy. It's District Court Judge Keith Levy. The Empire's tradition of excellence in journalism continues.
@Longtime resident
@Longtime resident,
Ms. Smathers' probation was not revoked. The state petitioned to revoke her probation, but the judge dismissed the petition on October 6, 2011. Feel free to contact me off of the internet, if you have further questions regarding that petition.
Thank you,
Kevin Higgins
Attorney
@ak_jase
Again, Ms. Smathers did not violate her probation. Your post contains more errors than are otherwise worth responding to. You should be more cautious in your factual assertions.
Tompkins
Tony Tompkins beat up a former State Trooper and is walking around free too Lots of bad folks on the loose in Juneau.
Clarification
@ak_jase--that is what I meant, it seems like people violate their probation all the time and just get a slap on the wrist and are let free.
@khiggins--thanks for the update. I wish Ms. Smathers well and hope she can keep on track.
Mr. Higgins:
Mr. Higgins: In reference to your post, and by looking at "Court View-2000 Public Access", I see that Stephanie Smathers has had two cases re-opened [1JU-07-00029CR and 1JU-06-00849CR] since she was first placed on parole. The latest case involved felony theft in the 2nd-Degree. I also see that you are/did represent her in both cases, i.e. that you are her attorney. (http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/pamw2000.o_case_sum?1028917400 & http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/pamw2000.o_case_sum?1028878600)
I see that you also represented Park Myers, who most definitely committed felony theft while on probation. In fact, Mr. Myers confessed to his transgression, but was let off with virtually no penalties and with no increase in his probation time. (http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/pamw2000.docket_lst?1029172050)
Ms. Smathers, Mr. Myers, and Mr. Jefferson re-offended while on probation. Plea-bargaining down the charges doesn't change the facts. The point of the post (which you seem to be taking personally), was to suggest that perhaps this isn't the most effective way of dealing with criminal transgressions, at least in these specific cases. I thought the idea was to protect the general public, provide for just penalties, and hopefully rehabilitate the transgressor into society.
Would you care to be more specific about the "factual assertions" that you consider to be in error? You appear to be making rather generalized assertions yourself.
Comment
Deleted
Hang 'Em High....
Ich: I'm a big fan of Eastwood movies, but I'm not sure there is an exact analogy to this case. In the movie, Clint was innocent, but erroneously presumed guilty of rustling and subsequently illegally hanged for the presumed crime. Yet, in the end, it was the ones who had illegally hanged him that paid the price for their very-real actions.
I believe the point that "Ak_Mom" and "Longtime resident" were attempting to make was - there should be reasonable penalties for the "admitted" guilty. Looking in the Empire archives, there are more than a few articles discussing the Smathers' case: http://juneauempire.com/stories/082207/loc_20070822003.shtml & http://juneauempire.com/stories/070406/loc_20060704016.shtml , just for example.
Plea-bargaining down the consequences of an action does not change the original action itself. Obviously, the hope is that the offender will become a responsible member of society and choose not to re-offend. What's the incentive to do this, if you're dealing with a serial offender and the consequences for re-offending are minimal? I'm far from an expert, but I would think that some form of regulated counseling might prove more effective - just to improve their coping skills, if nothing else.
This lawyer
Representing the likes of Smathers and Myers...you, sir, are obvious judge material.
What's with the slander?
What's with the slander? These comments are out of control.
Higgins;
It is unclear to me why these people are slamming you Mr. (or Ms, I am not sure of the gender here) Higgins. It seems to me that every person tried for a crime in this country has the right to competent legal advice and frankly, you seem to be doing a decent job of keeping your clients out of jail.
If there is a problem here perhaps, it is one of misplaced blame. Perhaps we would be better served replacing an Attorney General who cannot seem to win a case without a plea deal or a Judge who cannot be persuaded to revoke probation. Better yet, how about ending the whole plea bargain thing completely? Arrest the suspect, charge him or her with the crime committed and either try him for it or drop it.
Deleted by user - Not worth
Deleted by user - Not worth it
Type in Tompkins on AK Court System
What a loser family. Tony is milking the public teat with a public defender because he has no gainful employment and sucker punched a former trooper in a road rage incident.
Really AK_Mom?
Nice of you to delete your original posts that perhaps totally contributed to Tony’s reaction—in the first place. Yet, you display his in complete form?
I agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, you’ve gone too far by making pointed accusations—clearly addressing Tony’s full name, in the process. I don’t know him personally, but I’m glad he knows enough to stand up for himself. Reread your posts, maybe you can be fair and agree that they were completely antagonizing to begin with?
Also, how about you not hide behind your AK_Mom alias and show your face to begin with. Maybe then, you’d carefully consider just how far to go with your choice of words. In my opinion, your alias here, misuses “Mom” in its title. I’m a Mom and the last thing I’d do is publicly lash at another kid. Everyone gets their day in court. And everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but the Juneau Empire Comment section and coverage of an entirely different case is not the appropriate forum to do that.
One last thing: don’t go playing the full victim card now by saying you’re in fear for your life! You’re reading way too much into an email from someone, who may be defensive for a reason. And yes, YOU gave him that! I applaud Tony for indicating in his email that he aspires to do something with his life. I’m thinking that’s the best way to approach what he’s now facing. I hope he shows you!
Deleted by user - Not worth
Deleted by user - Not worth it
Apology
My apologies to Tony, for referring to him as a kid.
Thank you for clarifying, AK_Mom.
Self-righteousness aside, I really don't want to aggravate the problem here but be part of the solution. I do believe in the power of betterment and positive thinking. I am rooting for success.
We all deserve a shot at rising above things.
My full name is Rose Duran. Please feel free to contact me, directly.
Ak mom and magicsjohnSon
Ak mom football wasn't even my main sport I don't even consider myself a football star! You have no Idea who I am or what I'm about! I didn't punch anyone by the way! The "ex state trooper" actually flagged me down and I tried to get him back to his vehicle because I could smell alcohol on his breath! Do youthink he got a DUI tho?? Sure didnt! He decided to punch me twice before I did anything and my right hand had 21 stitches inside and out leaving me with no defense but an open hand slap which got the job done! I kept my cool! Instead of the drunk ass ex law enforcement going to jail for DUI and assault; they look at one side of the case! The law enforcent in Juneau is a joke! Maybe two or three of them would last down south where all the real crime happens! MagicsjohnSon who do you think you are? You have no justification to any of your slanderous remarks! Sad how the highlight of your day is an "attempt" at disrespecting someones last name; although, the recognition of your family name could not compare even on your best day! But continue to scrutinize my name, for your echo will fade in the background of everyones afterthoughts! Which is precisely what you'll remain!!
Empire needs an overhaul
Who cares?
I'm more concerned with the Empires lack of editing skills.
I'd like to know who Kevin Levy is.
@ The Juneau Empire.. It's Keith Levy..
You guys and your editing skills.
Perhaps the Empire could use some clean up. Get the kids out of the office and bring in some professionals? Just a suggestion. I hate these kind of typos because it shows just how lazy people are.
Thank you this is all.
Repeat offender
Continuing to show no respect for the law of for other people at age 48, this lowlife obviously refuses to learn from his mistakes. Hopefully. now he will be put away until he's too old and feeble to mess with other peoples' lives.