Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

May 28, 2009

Hawthorne Mother Pleads No Contest to Kidnapping Pedestrian

LOS ANGELES – A 26-year-old Hawthorne mother suspected of forcing a 72-year-old female pedestrian into her car after hitting her, then eluding police during brief chase, pleaded no contest today to kidnapping the victim.

Alexis Lewis entered the plea before Airport Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz, said Deputy District Attorney Eric Perrodin. Lewis was ordered to undergo a 90-day evaluation by the Department of Corrections. She returns Sept. 2 for sentencing. If she is found ineligible for probation, she faces five years in state prison.

Lewis, who had three no bail warrants out for her arrest in separate cases, was arrested on May 4 following a police chase in Hawthorne. The incident started after Lewis hit a female pedestrian at 134th Street and Hawthorne Boulevard about 9 a.m. Witnesses said Lewis forced the victim into her car and sped off. Police, responding to the accident, chased the vehicle during a brief high-speed pursuit, before the driver stopped in the 12600 block of Eucalyptus Avenue, near the suspect’s residence.

During an investigation, Hawthorne police discovered Lewis allegedly had left her three children – ages 2, 3 and 4 – unattended at home.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will dismiss one count of felony evading police and three counts each of child endangerment at the time of sentencing.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.