Lindsay Lohan Avoids Charges in Theft from Hollywood Home
Just days after police announced they are re-investigating Lindsay Lohan's role in a car crash, prosecutors announced they will not pursue Lohan on theft charges in an unrelated incident.
Someone would need one of Lindsay Lohan's personal assistants just to keep track of all the legal troubles the 26-year-old actress is involved in.
Still, this most recent news is good news. Similar to the car accident incident, Lohan could have gone to jail if the theft allegations were true. But prosecutors did not think they had enough evidence and so Lilo was not charged, reports Reuters.
Lindsay Lohan and her assistant were guests at a Hollywood home during an all-night party. The owner of the home later reported the theft of about $10,000 worth of jewelry, and initially accused Lohan and her assistant of the theft.
But as police looked into the matter, the homeowner's story changed as the stolen property was worth only about $6,400 and none of it was jewelry. About $3,000 in cash was lost as were four pairs of sunglasses, an iPod, and the keys to two cars and a house, reports Reuters.
In addition to the homeowner's changing story, potential eyewitnesses refused to become involved and no stolen property was found in the possession of Lohan or her assistant. So Los Angeles prosecutors declined to charge either of them, saying they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
As you may know, in a criminal case, prosecutors have the burden of proving that a crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a very high burden and it means much more than simply believing that someone committed a crime or even believing that a suspect more likely than not committed the crime. Instead, prosecutors have to prove with virtual certainty that the suspect is guilty.
Prosecutors did not believe they could meet this high burden regarding Lindsay Lohan and the reported theft.
Related Resources:
- Lindsay Lohan Will NOT Be Prosecuted For Jewelry Heist (TMZ)
- Lindsay Lohan Handcuffed as Judge Revokes Probation (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Lindsay Lohan Must Do Community Service in Morgue (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)