Lindsay Lohan sentenced to FOUR months in jail as judge rules she violated probation

By Daily Mail Reporter


-Lohan plans to appeal decision and will be allowed to post bail - set at $75k
-Actress in tears as preliminary necklace theft case reaches climax
-Judge reduces felony grand theft charge to a misdemeanour

Back to jail: Lindsay Lohan arrives at the LAX courthouse in Los Angeles today for the preliminary hearing into her necklace case. After hearing evidence against her a judge ruled she had violated her probation and sentenced her to four months in jail


Lindsay Lohan has been sentenced to 120 days in jail for a probation violation after a judge heard evidence against the actress in her necklace theft case.

The actress's lawyer Shawn Chapman said she will appeal the ruling, which will allow the actress to post bail, which was set at $75,000

Judge Stephanie Sautner also ordered Lohan to serve more than 400 hours of community service, including 300 hours at a women's center.


Pensive: A court sketch shows Lohan sat next to her lawyer Shawn Chapman as jewllery store owner Kaman takes the witness stand


The ruling came after Sautner reduced Lohan's grand theft case down to a misdemeanor and after prosecutors gave their case against the actress.

It will be Lohan's fourth jail stint.

Sautner refused to dismiss the theft case against Lohan, but said she often sees more serious cases that get reduced to lesser charges.

'I see the intent here,' Sautner said. 'I see a level of brazenness with "Let me see what I can get away with here.'''

Sautner ruled that prosecutors had shown that Lohan violated her probation, but also said in reducing the charge that she was going to give the actress 'an opportunity.'

Lohan formally entered a not guilty plea at Friday's hearing. She is next due back in court on May 11 for a pre-trial hearing with the trial scheduled for June 3.

The 'Mean Girls' star arrived at the courthouse wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, blue trousers and a scarf.

Her father Michael Lohan was also in attendance and took a front row seat inside the court - where cameras have been banned.

The news came during a dramatic day at the LAX courthouse in Los Angeles, which culminated in Lohan breaking down in tears.

Various witnesses were brought to the stand throughout the day, including the owner of the jewellery store, the store clerk and the investigating officer from the LAPD.

Judge Sautner dismissed the motion to drop the case altogether, according to internet reports.

But it seems Lindsay's lawyer, Shawn Chapman, has managed to persuade the judge that the necklace was worth far less than $2,500.

Under California law, a crime only becomes grand theft if the value of the stolen goods exceeds $950.

Preliminary hearing: The actress wore a black top, Navy blue trousers teamed with an off-white scarf and wore her hair in an updo. She was accompanied by her lawyer Shawn Chapman, who wore a red dress


During the hearing Chapman had aruged the necklace was worth less than $2,500.

Furthermore Sofia Kaman, the owner of Kamofie & Co. - the Los Angeles jewellery store which Lohan allegedly stole from - admitted the store's mark-up price was two to three times that of the wholesale price.

The district attorney in the case, Jeanette Meyers, has said she will appeal the judges decision to reduce Lohan's charge from a grand theft to a misdemeanour, RadarOnline reports.

Solem: Lohan made no comment as she walked past photographers and journalists, seen right her father Michael Lohan who bagged a front row seat inside the court

Media frenzy: Photographers watch as the U.S. actress rides the elevator to the court room

Earlier, jewellery store owner Ms Kaman told the court she waited a day before reporting the necklace as stolen because the actress told her she would return later.

Taking to the witness stand she testified at Lohan's preliminary hearing, telling the court it took 10 minutes before she realised the actress had left wearing the necklace.

She said she waited to report the necklace missing to polcie because Lohan had told her she would return the next day to buy a ring.

Lohan, 24, has been accused of taking the necklace in January without permission.

Lohan has been a courthouse fixture since last May when she missed a hearing in her drunken driving case.

Since then, two judges have sent her to jail twice and rehab, also twice.

On Wednesday, Fiore Films announced it had cast the actress to play the wife of John Gotti Jr., the son of the infamous mob boss dubbed the 'Teflon Don,' in a biopic of the family.

The project, title, 'Gotti: Three Generations,' is scheduled to begin shooting later this year in Lohan's native New York.

In an interview with the AP, Lohan said she was eager to put her court cases behind her and once again be known as an actress.

'I'm really excited to be back on set and clear up all the misinterpretations about me and show this is what I love to do,' Lohan said.

'I think in the past, I had a lot of distractions,' she said. 'I've learned a lot. I've lived a lot. When I'm on set, it's about the film.'


Scene of the incident: The Kamofie & Co jewellery store in Venice, California


source:dailymail

EXCLUSIVE: Has troubled Lindsay Lohan fallen spectacularly off the wagon?

By DONNA MCCONNELL

Down and out in New York: Lindsay Lohan exhibited some bizarre behaviour as she sat in the street smoking after leaving bar with friends


Sitting in a grimy street, head face-first on the pavement, troubled star Lindsay Lohan appears to be down and out as she leaves a New York bar.

Looking decidedly the worse for wear, Lohan - who as part of her probation is not allowed to drink alcohol - appeared to have spent the best part of the evening hanging out with friends in The Cabin Down Below bar soon after arriving in New York by private jet.

After emerging, she is seen stooping on the floor, groping for support, and struggling to stay atop her high platform heels.


A new Lo: Lindsay hits the floor with her face


Dressed in a very short black dress, leopard print coat, the Machete star kneels on the floor, cigarette in hand, laughing uncontrollably and inadvertently exposed her underwear.

The 24-year-old stumbles to her feet while her laughing friends - including Samantha Swetra who was recently involved in a fight with Boardwalk Empire actress Paz de la Huerta - show little concern.

Finally one of them goes to her aid.

Lohan attempted to play down the scenes this morning tweeting: 'Is it not allowed to slip and fall? im always a klutz!!!'


Party time in the Big Apple: Lindsay arrived in New York last night by private jet and was soon seen out with friends on the Lower East side of Manhattanv


A source told the New York Daily News that Lohan had checked into a Times Square hotel instead of going as planned to her family's Long Island home.

Later that night, she was seen bar-hopping with Swetra starting at the Rose Bar in the Gramercy Park Hotel before continuing to The Cabin Down Below in the East Village, an ultra-exclusive bar disguised as a dive.

Lohan arrived in New York as it emerged she is planning to leave Los Angeles and set up home in the city.


Questions to answer: Lindsay will have some explaining to do to her probation officer as she appears very high-spirited in these pictures taken last night


According to her mother Dina Lohan the troubled actress is 'actively looking' for an apartment to rent.

Lindsay has been seen more and more in the city in recent weeks, flying in on a private jet a few days ago, supposedly join her family for a vacation on Long Island.

'She will be in New York a lot more going forward. She's actively looking for places in the city with her younger brother Michael,' Dina said.

'She loves it here. And she has a lot of friends who already have places, so she might sublet.'

And Lohan wasted no time in meeting up with some of those friends in a bar on the Lower East Side of the city.


Helping hand: Lindsay's friends seemed unconcerned by her wobbly state, and offered her hand to get to her feet

Moving on: Lindsay's decision to move to New York may have been sparked by ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson's new relationship

The troubling scenes will do little to impress her probation office who may have some hard questions to ask of the embattled starlet who is facing trial over the alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace she has been accused of stealing from a high-end store in Venice, California.

The Mean Girls star has already fallen foul of her probation officer as it emerged that she regularly consumes Kombucha tea, which has an alcohol content of 0.5 per cent or less.

Now the Los Angeles County Probation Department have added it to a list of reasons why the judge should violate her probation when she appears in court next week.

While there is no proof that she had been drinking, these exclusive pictures which will know doubt be added to the list of queries that need thorough explanation.

After her late night Lohan confined her activities to a spot of shopping today, looking at jewellery in New York.

The actress picked out a few pieces and made sure to pay for them before heading back to her hotel.

Lohan's decision to move to New York may well have been sparked by her ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who this week went public with her new relationship.

And maybe she hoped she would gain a little freedom from the restrictions of her probation terms.

The actress moved into a beach home next door to Ronson's in Venice Beach after her release from rehab earlier this year.

While Lohan claimed the move was just a coincidence, it was widely interpreted as a sign that she hoped for a reconciliation with her former partner.

This week saw Lohan reject a plea deal. Judge Keith Schwartz was said to have offered the actress 60-90 days in jail she pleaded guilty in her grand theft case.

But Lohan was understood to be resistant to accepting the terms and is now taking her chances at trial.

However, if she decides to go to trial, she is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 2.

The jewellery store in question is now charging online customers $2.99 to watch CCTV footage showing the actress allegedly stealing the necklace.

It comes after segments of the footage were aired on Entertainment Tonight last month after it struck a deal with The Associated Press, who obtained the rights to the video footage.

But there is some good news for Lohan after prosecutors dropped a battery case against her in connection with a fight with a rehab worker last year after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue a battery case against the actress.

Recovered: Lindsay was back on her feet to attend a screening of film Source Code hosted by the Cinema Society in Soho


The morning after: Lohan headed to the shops in New York today, stocking up at the upmarket store Singer22


source: dailymail

Lindsay Lohan manages a smile as her ex-girlfriend moves on with a new woman

By Daily Mail Reporter


Moving on: Lindsay Lohan gets a visit from old friend and celebrity broker Claus Hjelmbak at her rented Venice, California home yesterday


Perhaps she was trying to make a point, but it was Lindsay Lohan couldn't stop smiling yesterday.

Whatever the reason, she certainly didn't seem upset that her ex-girlfriend has moved on with a new relationship.

Pictures surfaced last week of Samantha Ronson, who Lohan dated for a year, passionately kissing yoga instructor Tiffany Russo.

But Lindsay appeared in great spirits as she posed with her friend Claus Hjelmbak, a celebrity broker, at her Venice, California home.


Wearing black shorts and a patterned pink top, the 24-year-old Mean Girls star flashed a peace sign and held her long blonde hair back off her face.

She smiled and joked with the Danish born businessman on the front patio of her house.

Later in the day, Lindsay joined her brother Michael Jr aboard a private jet heading back to New York.

The trips comes after she refused a plea deal from a Los Angeles judge in a theft case that would have sent her to jail.

Glowing: The actress appeared happy and relaxed as she posed with her friend in front of the house

New love: Michael Lohan tweeted pictures of his new girlfriend, who he named only as Bernadette

New love: Michael Lohan tweeted pictures of his new girlfriend, who he named only as Bernadette

Lunch date: He met the young brunette on the beach in Florida


The Mean Girls star intends to fight a case filed over a $2,500 necklace she has been accused of stealing from a high-end store in Venice, California and may find news her old flame has moved on extremely distressing.

Meanwhile, Lohan's father Michael tweeted pictures today of him with his new girlfriend, who he revealed was called Bernadette.

It comes just a week after splitting with Kate Major, who he has been charged with assaulting.

'Bernadette is a nurse who I met at the beach in Florida,' Michael told RadarOnline.com.

'I'm here with her now but after I get back to Los Angeles, she's coming up to New York with me.'


source:dailymail

Make-up free Lindsay Lohan channels Native America look

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

New look: Lindsay Lohan pictured out for lunch with a friend in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles yesterday


Lindsay Lohan opted for an eye-catching new look as she ventured out in Los Angeles yesterday.

The troubled actress, who was wearing barely a scrap of make-up, channelled the Native American look by wearing her hair in plaits.

She was joined by a male friend as they dined at The Otherroom in Venice Beach - just down the road from the jewellery store where she allegedly stole a $2,500 necklace.


Trendy: The actress teamed her Pocahontas-style hair with a below-the-knee tribal-inspired sweater


Lindsay teamed her Pocahontas-style hair with a below-the-knee tribal-inspired sweater.

The 24-year-old has now dropped her surname and wants to be known as just Lindsay.
Her reasoning is not to create a stronger showbiz brand, according to her mother Dina, however.

The 48-year-old, who also revealed that she and daughter Ali, 17, will be losing the name too - said the decision was taken to distance herself from disgraced father Michael.


ut and about: The actress dined at The Otherroom, just down the road from the jewellery store where she allegedly stole a $2,500 necklace


TMZ reports today that Major has got a protective order from a judge in Florida ordering Michael to stay 500 feet away from her and have no other contact.

According to the website, she is afraid of Michael coming after her from coast-to-coast, prompting her to ask a judge 2,500 away in Sarasota County to protect her from him.


Family feud: The actress and her mother Dina don't want to be associated with Michael Lohan and dropping their last name


Michael was charged last week with assaulting her. In court documents she claims 'he took a wet towel over my mouth + nose + was strangling me' before throwing her against the footrest of the bed.

She further claimed he sliced himself with a razor blade and said if she went to police 'he would say I injured him. He is insane'.

Michael claims Major assaulted him.

While his daughter might be dropping her surname, her mother Dina and sister Ali will use the maiden name Sullivan.

However, it's believed that her brother, Michael Lohan, Jnr, 22, will keep his father's name.


Lindsay Lohan is changing her name



source: dailymail

Lindsay Lohan's father Michael to be charged with domestic violence after 'holding girlfriend against her will'

By Andrea Magrath


Arrested: Lindsay Lohan's father Michael is to be charged with domestic violence after an argument with his girlfriend allegedly turned physical last night


Lindsay Lohan's father Michael is to be charged with domestic violence after being arrested last night in Los Angeles after allegedly holding his girlfriend against her will and preventing her from calling the police.

The 50-year-old will face charges of false imprisonment, preventing the reporting of victimisation and inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant.

Last night Lohan's girlfriend, whose name is not being released, filed a report at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department after an argument between the couple turned physical.

The report was filed between 9.30 and 10 o'clock last night in West Hollywood, according to celebrity website TMZ.

It has also emerged that Michael Lohan was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after complaining of chest pains.

It is the second emergency dash for the businessman in as many months. In February he was admitted to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after suffering chest pains.

Lindsay, 24, has endured a turbulent relationship with her father and was estranged from him for several years.

But the pair have appeared closer in recent months and were spotted enjoying dinner together last month.

They first took tentative steps toward reconciliation during Lindsay's most recent stint in rehab late last year, when he visited her several times.

The actress is currently staying at her mother Dina's home in Long Island after a judge lifted the ban preventing her from leaving California under the terms of her probation.

Troubled: Lindsay, currently in New York, has endured a turbulent relationship with her father but they recently reconciled


Lindsay is dealing with her own legal woes as she decides whether to accept the plea deal option of three month jail sentence after an LA jewellery store reported that she had stolen a $2,500 necklace from them.

Her father's arrest comes as Michael is currently in Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab, seeking treatment for 'anger issues'.

He has a history of arrests in New York over allegations of harassment from ex-girlfriends.

Earlier this month his ex-girlfriend Kate Majors claimed he became physically violent toward her during filming of Celebrity Rehab when she visited the Pasadena Therapy Center to partake in a therapy session with Lohan.

Family time: The actress, pictured with siblings Michael Jr and Ali this week, is spending time with her family while she decides whether to take the plea deal for her own legal battle


She claims that despite being broken up, she participated because she felt it would be therapeutic.

Miss Majors alleges that when she pulled out of the session, Lohan chased her down and became violent.

She said at the time: 'I wish that he gets the help that he needs and I feel sorry that Dina was stuck with him for 18 years and my heart goes out to his children.

Legal woes: Lindsay is facing charges of grand theft felony after allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace


Source:dailymail

Lindsay Lohan's giant jumper leaves her looking bedraggled as she seriously contemplates a stint in jail

Playing tourist: Lindsay Lohan spent time checking out some of the sights of New York yesterday with a female friend


Lindsay Lohan looked like she may have got dressed in the dark when she took to the streets of New York for a spot of sightseeing yesterday.

The troubled 24-year-old has been spending the weekend in the Big Apple with her family and is believed to be seriously considering the option of a three month jail sentence after an LA jewellery store reported that she had stolen a $2,500 necklace from them.

And judging from her actress’s choice of sightseeing attire, she looked as though she may well be gearing up to slum it in a cell.


With her blonde hair scraped back in a messy bun and dressed in skinny jeans and a giant cream cable knit jumper, Lindsay was almost dwarfed by her quirky cricket look.

Hiding behind a pair of tortoise shell Ray Bans, Lindsay looked tired and bedraggled as she hot-footed it across Manhattan with her 17-year old sister, Ali, for some much-needed beauty treatments at the Prive salon in the trendy SoHo District.

And if her next court hearing goes the way she is hoping, this could be the last indulgent dose of pampering that Lindsay will be enjoying for quite some time.

Scruffy: The actress appeared bedraggled as she wandered through the streets and took photos


The judge presiding over Lindsay’s case has offered her between 60 and 90 days in prison, and the actress is today said to be seriously considering accepting the plea deal.

If Lindsay does decide to plead guilty to the charge, she will go straight to jail.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, the actress may get lucky and have her sentence reduced to as little as 19 days due to jail overcrowding.

Lindsay has until this coming Friday to decide whether or not she will accept the offer.

If she refuses, then she will go up against the judge once more on April 22nd for a preliminary hearing that will decide whether or not she will stand for further trial.


Up in smoke: The actress and her friend puffed away on cigarettes with Lindsay trying to hide hers when she saw she was being watched



Source:dailymail

Lindsay Lohan goes hell for leather in her latest court outfit... as judge grants her more time to consider plea deal

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

More time: Lindsay Lohan, pictured here arriving at an LA court in a leather dress today, has been granted 15 extra days to consider her plea deal


Lindsay Lohan sasyahed back into court today for yet another hearing in her felony theft case.

The 24-year-old actress, whose courtroom attire attracts as much attention as her legal woes, this time arrived in a $725 leather sheath by Raquel Allegra - a designer famous for customising T-shirts once worn by inmates of LA County Jail.

Inside the courtroom, she was given one last chance to accept a plea deal in the case which sees her accused of stealing a necklace from a Venice jewellery store.

She could be back in court March 25 if she decides to accept a plea agreement but if not, a hearing will be held next month to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial.


Back in court: Judge Schwartz discussed Lindsay's pending plea or trial decision


On that date she could also be jailed for violating her probation - and stay behind bars until the start of her trial.

During a short hearing at the Airport Branch Courthouse, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 22 before fellow Judge Stephanie Sautner.

But Schwartz also tentatively scheduled a hearing in his court for March 25 - but said that hearing would be held only if the 24-year-old star was prepared to enter into a plea agreement, which would likely lead to jail time.


Contemplating her future: The star is still mulling over her options in her court case


Many moods of LiLo: The 25-year-old put on an expressive show during the hearing


If no plea agreement is reached, the April 22 court date will also include a hearing to determine if Lohan violated her probation in a 2007 misdemeanor DUI case.

Schwartz pleaded with attorneys to maintain confidentiality in the case, complaining that there were persistent leaks to media outlets.

The actress was 5 minutes late for the court appearance.

At a Feb. 23 hearing, Judge Schwartz told the Mean Girls star that she would face a preliminary hearing before Judge Stephanie Sautner if she didn't settle the case accusing her of a felony count of grand theft.


Making a statement: Lindsay's dress was designed by Raquel Allegra, who is famous for customising T-shirts once worn by inmates of LA County Jail


Sautner would also conduct a hearing to determine if Lohan had violated her probation in a 2007 misdemeanor DUI case, Schwartz said last month.

Lohan is accused of walking out of Kamofie & Co. on Abbot Kinney Boulevard on Jan. 22 with a necklace valued at $2,500.

She was charged Feb. 9 and is free on $40,000 bail.

The jewellery store has since come under fire for releasing surveillance videotape of the actress inside the shop the day she allegedly stole the necklace. The store owners, Geoff and Sofia Kaman, announced Wednesday they plan to eventually auction off the necklace and donate the proceeds to charity.

At last month's hearing, Schwartz told Lohan that she would face 'jail time' if she pleaded guilty or no 'contest in his courtroom.

'The issue is what it is,' the judge said of the amount of jail time.


On screen: Entertainment tonight released footage of Lindsay in the jewellry store


Schwartz said Deputy District Attorney Danette Meyers had given Lohan's attorney, Shawn Holley, 'an offer' in chambers to resolve the case and had 'very clearly' laid out their position on this case, but publicly stated his doubts that Lohan would take the proposed deal.

'I get the impression you're not going to accept the D.A.'s offer,' he told Lohan, vowing to treat her the same as he treated any other defendants who appear before him.

A day after the charge was filed against her, Lohan issued a denial via Twitter, writing, 'fyi -- I would never steal, in case people are wondering.'


Court catwalk: Lindsay's Kimberly Ovitz mini-dress, which she wore on Feb 9, was widely deemed inappropriate by fashion critics. On Feb 23, she opted for a low-cut Chanel top and pants


Lindsay Lohan back in court


source: dailymail

More incriminating Lindsay Lohan footage aired on US TV as she reveals plans to sue the store who released it

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


The moment of truth: The image of Lindsay Lohan putting on the necklace she was accused of stealing which aired last night on Entertainment Tonight


Things appear to be looking worse and worse for Lindsay Lohan as US showbiz news show Entertainment Tonight aired yet more incriminating footage of the actress reportedly stealing a $2,500 necklace.

The brief clip, which was the second part of a three night segment shows Lindsay, 24, inside the store and the moment she actually tried the necklace on.

The star then puts her own necklace on over the top and wanders around the shop in a move that Entertainment Tonight's expert Marcia Clark, a former deputy district attorney, describes as behaviour of 'a typical shoplifter.'


Distraction: The actress then wanders around the store wearing the necklace even texting on her phone


Clark also says she believes the video puts Lindsay 'in very hot water,' after analysing the tape on behalf of the TV show.

Lohan displays erratic behaviour after putting the necklace on, pacing up and down, touching the necklace on her chest and looking at other items as she chats to her friend and the store clerk.

The actress is said to be considering suing the jewellery store where she allegedly stole the $2,500 gold and diamond necklace.

Her mother Dina has revealed they are considering a lawsuit against the shop in Venice, Los Angeles, after the owners reportedly sold the surveillance footage of the incident for a reputed figure of more than $35,000.

It comes after the Kamofie & Co.said its business had been damaged by the media attention surrounding the alleged necklace theft by 24-year-old Lohan.


Lawsuit: Lindsay Lohan's mother Dina has revealed the family are considering suing the jewellery store where she allegedly stole a $2,500 necklace in January after it sold the surveillance footage


Texting away: Lohan seen here in CCTV footage inside the Kamofie & Co jewellery store in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, on January 22 when she is accused of stealing the necklace


Dina told RadarOnline: 'Once again, celebrities are faced with the possibilities of their normal daily activity being filmed and sold without their knowledge and their consent, and our family is looking into formal legal action.'

Her lawyer Stephanie Ovadia told the website that the Lohan family had contacted her and she is now investigating the situation.

She said: 'We are looking into the unauthorised use of an image, invasion of privacy, unjust enrichment, and other possible legal avenues.'

Lindsay is next due to appear in court over the case on Thursday.

Prosecutors claim she walked out of the store on January 22 and walked out wearing the necklace without paying.

But the case could now be harmed by the sale of the CCTV evidence, which was aired on U.S. channel Entertainment Tonight on Monday evening.


Walking in: The actress in a surveillance camera still entering the shop. Part of the footage was aired last night in the U.S. on Entertainment Tonight with more set to be screened tonight


In the video footage Lindsay is seen texting and trying on multiple pieces of jewellery in front of a clerk in the Southern California store.

Snippets of the footage taken were aired on Entertainment Tonight after the show obtained nearly 45 minutes of footage from the store's four security cameras, which captured the actress smiling as she entered the shop.

Lohan returns to court on Thursday, when her lawyer will tell a judge whether the Mean Girls actress will accept a plea deal in the felony grand theft case that guarantees a jail sentence.

The video was sold by a representative of Kamofie to a commercial images unit of The Associated Press, which then licensed it exclusively to Entertainment Tonight.

Christopher Spencer, a crisis management expert who represents the jewellery store, explained in a statement the reason the footage was sold.

'Most important, we were upset with the various mischaracterisations we were seeing and hearing about the video and its contents, and we felt the video should be allowed to speak for itself,' Mr Spencer's statement read.


Scene of the incident: Th Kamofie & Co. jewellery store in Venice, Los Angeles where Lohan spend around 45 minutes on January 22


'There were also many media inquiries asking for release of the video, which is not any sort of secret evidence. The bottom line is we felt there was far too much speculation about the video recording, and that it was right for the public to be able to see the video itself.'

A website, necklacevideo.com, has been registered and may be used to stream the video online at a later date.

The footage's release could impact Lohan's criminal case, which is the most serious charge the troubled actress has faced.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz has promised to send Lohan to jail if she accepts a plea deal to end the case early.

The surveillance video almost certainly would have been aired at a preliminary hearing if Lohan decided to fight the case.

'With regard to the question of Lindsay Lohan's guilt or innocence, we repeat that Kamofie and Company never gave permission to Ms Lohan to remove the necklace from the store,' Mr Spencer said in his statement. 'The rest is up to the jury.'


source: dailymail

Caught on CCTV: Footage of Lindsay Lohan in necklace 'theft' aired on U.S. television

By Daily Mail Reporter


Texting away: Lindsay Lohan seen here in CCTV footage inside the Kamofie & Co jewellery store in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, on January 22 when she is accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace


Lindsay Lohan is shown in surveillance video texting and trying on multiple pieces of jewellery in front of a clerk in a Southern California store that has accused her of stealing a $2,500 necklace.

Snippets of the footage taken by four cameras in the Venice store of Kamofie & Co were aired by Entertainment Tonight in the U.S. last night along with analysis by lawyers not handling the case.

The show obtained nearly 45 minutes of footage from the store's four security cameras, which captured the actress smiling as she entered the shop on January 22.


Entertainment Tonight said it plans to air footage showing Lohan wearing the necklace involved in her criminal case during a show today.

Lohan returns to court on Thursday, when her lawyer will tell a judge whether the Mean Girls actress will accept a plea deal in the felony grand theft case that guarantees a jail sentence.

The video was sold by a representative of Kamofie to a commercial images unit of The Associated Press, which then licensed it exclusively to Entertainment Tonight.

Christopher Spencer, a crisis management expert who represents the jewellery store, explained in a statement the reason the footage was sold.

'Most important, we were upset with the various mischaracterisations we were seeing and hearing about the video and its contents, and we felt the video should be allowed to speak for itself,' Mr Spencer's statement read.


Walking in: The actress in a surveillance camera still entering the shop. Part of the footage was aired last night in the U.S. on Entertainment Tonight


'There were also many media inquiries asking for release of the video, which is not any sort of secret evidence. The bottom line is we felt there was far too much speculation about the video recording, and that it was right for the public to be able to see the video itself.'

A website, necklacevideo.com, has been registered and may be used to stream the video online at a later date.

The footage's release could impact Lohan's criminal case, which is the most serious charge the troubled actress has faced.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz has promised to send Lohan to jail if she accepts a plea deal to end the case early.

The surveillance video almost certainly would have been aired at a preliminary hearing if Lohan decided to fight the case.

'With regard to the question of Lindsay Lohan's guilt or innocence, we repeat that Kamofie and Company never gave permission to Ms Lohan to remove the necklace from the store,' Mr Spencer said in his statement. 'The rest is up to the jury.'







Source:dailymail

Lindsay Lohan's lucky break? Jewellery store 'sells CCTV footage for more than $35,000'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

On trial: Lindsay Lohan arrives at Los Angeles Superior Court last month over charges of theft from the Venice Beach jewellery store, Kamofie & Co


Tape set to be aired on Monday by Entertainment Tonight

Owners of jewellery store defend move saying their business has been 'hurt'

Prosecution case could now be harmed with vital evidence being sold for cash

Jewellery store's lawyers 'contacted Lohan's attorney and asked for her copy of the CCTV footage' last week


The jewellery store from which Lindsay Lohan allegedly stole a necklace worth $2,500 has sold the surveillance footage for more than $35,000 to an American TV network.

A spokesman for Kamofie & Co in Venice Beach, California, has defended the decision saying the media circus surrounding the incident has 'hurt' the business.

CCTV cameras at the store recorded Lohan, 24, trying on the necklace in question, and the footage was expected to be used as evidence against the actress.

But the sale of the footage could undermine the prosecution's case against the Mean Girls star, who is pleading not guilty to the felony grand theft charge.

It has also been claimed that a lawyer representing the jewellery store contacted Lohan's lawyer, Shawn Holley, last week and asked about obtaining her copy of the CCTV footage in a bid to keep it off the market.

RadarOnline reports that the jewellery store owners need to keep all other copies of the tape off the market so it would not jeopardise the lucrative sale and exclusivity rights.

'The jewellery store owner's lawyer was contacting Shawn Holley and trying to obtain her copy of the video, and also wanted Shawn not show the tape to anyone,' a source told the website.

Holley was said to be furious at the move and has played no part in the sale of the tape.


The jewellery store Kamofie & Co in Venice California, from where Lohan is alleged to have stolen a necklace


Lindsay has consistently claimed she was offered the necklace as a loan by the store, which the store denied.

But if the prosecution calls a representative from Kamofie & Co to the stand, the fact that the store sold evidence vital to the case could discredit their testimony.

Entertainment Tonight has announced that they are now in possession of the surveillance footage and intend to air the video live on their news show in the U.S.

The store has since come under fire, prompting Christopher Spencer, a representative for the business to reportedly tell RadarOnline that the owners sold the footage because Lindsay hurt their business.


Controversial: Lawyers for the jewellery store allegedly contacted Lohan's lawyer Shawn Holley last week and asked for her copy of the CCTV footage in a bid to keep it off the market


'Customers have stayed away from the store because of the paparazzi and the controversy,' Spencer said.

Kamofie & Co are understood to have approached a number of U.S. and European media outlets in an attempt to generate a bidding war.

During Lindsay’s latest court hearing last month, Judge Keith Schwartz made it clear that any plea deal offered to the actress would unquestionably involve jail time.

Lohan instead chosen to face trial over the charge and is next due back in court on Thursday.

A lawyer for Lohan did not return calls.


source: dailymail