DEFENDANT ABRUPTLY PLEADS GUILTY WHILE TESTIFYING AT HIS TRIAL FOR ARMED ROBBED
Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 28-year-old Bronx man pled guilty while testifying in his own defense at his trial for armed robbery and other offenses.
Michael Lennon, of 1670 Townsend Avenue, pled guilty to one count of Robbery in the 1st degree and one count of Assault in the 2nd degree in connection with a home invasion that occurred on October 16, 2007.
Acting State Supreme Court Justice Ethan Greenberg set sentencing for Thursday, March 26, 2009 in Part T-29. Under terms of the plea agreement Lennon will be sentenced to a term of 6 ½ years imprisonment and 5 years of post release supervision once his prison term is completed. Once the guilty plea was entered Justice Greenberg revoked Lennon’s bail of $5,000 and ordered him remanded.
The robbery occurred at an apartment on East 176th Street, the home of Adrian Dorsey. Lennon and an unapprehended accomplice forced their way into the residence and assaulted Dorsey before fleeing with two pieces of jewelry and approximately $200 (dollars) in cash. Dorsey testified that when he answered a knock on his front door Lennon, who was armed with a knife, and his accomplice, who was carrying a handgun, pushed their way inside. Lennon struck Dorsey in the mouth with the handle of the knife and also punched him in the face with a closed fist knocking out two of his front teeth. When Lennon demanded that Dorsey surrender his jewelry and money, Lennon’s accomplice threatened to shoot Dorsey and his girlfriend, who managed to call 911 during the commotion.
Lennon was caught a short time later while running through an alley behind the victim’s apartment building. Police recovered the two gold chains, one with a crucifix and one with an image of Jesus Christ. The defendant testified last Friday that he had purchased the jewelry and just before the case was adjourned for the holiday weekend, the defense said it intended to place into evidence, a receipt for the jewelry in question. When the trial resumed this morning with the defendant still on the stand under oath, Assistant District Attorney Allen Karen told the court that he was prepared to call as a witness for the state the owner of the business that purportedly issued the “receipt.” When Karen said that his witness would testify that he never sold the stolen jewelry to the defendant, Lennon changed his plea to guilty.
Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Allen Karen is being assisted by Assistant District Attorney Ellen Jittrarachit in prosecuting this case.
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