Defendant Changes Plea, Admits Stealing Wallet
In yesterday’s [Aug 22] Plea Court, 41-year old Lisa James initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a wallet valued at $50 and said to contain $400 in cash. She was granted $2,000 bail and given a trial date in December. However, she soon came back and made a tearful acknowledgement of guilt.
After the Senior Magistrate had handled three more cases involving others, Ms James stood and asked if she could change her plea. The Magistrate obliged and Ms James changed her plea to guilty.
Crown Prosecutor Susan Mulligan told the Magistrate that around 12:30pm on 10th August 20102, the complainant had forgotten her wallet and had left the wallet on a bench in a Gibbons Co Reid Street store.
She had left the store without it. Police had been called and found that the store’s CCTV system had filmed Ms James picking up the wallet and putting it in her own handbag. Police had later contacted Ms James at her residence. Questioned by Police, Ms James did not admit taking the wallet and Police pressed charges of theft.
After hearing this evidence, Ms James told the Court that she was currently residing and studying in the UK and then started sobbing and crying, saying: “I’m embarrassed. I wish I had never come home. Why’d I do that? What was in my head? My schooling is in jeopardy. My job is in danger. I don’t understand. I don’t do things like that.”
When she had quieted down, the Senior Magistrate told her: “You know that I know you from these Courts.” He told her, and she agreed, that she had been previously convicted in a Bermuda Court.
The Magistrate went on: “I know that you have worked hard to get where you are now. I’m very surprised to find you here today. It’s unfortunate and you must be commended.” Inquiring into her current situation, Ms James told the Magistrate that she had been in the UK studying Social Work and was due to return there to continue her studies.
He said: “It is a small amount and I must take all circumstances into consideration. I will not record a conviction.” The Magistrate then ordered a Conditional Discharge.
Crown Counsel asked about restitution. Ms James said that she was willing to restore $275 which, she said, was all the cash that was actually in the wallet. However, the Magistrate told her that she was in no position to argue and that she must make restitution of $400.
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Yesterday must have been “freebie” day in court.
I am so very thankful that God is forgiving, especially when we repent of our sins.
So this is not her first offence and still she gets no punishment. It seems to me she will go right back out and do it again.
What other offense was committed we do not know do we? I wish her well!
It was years ago and Lisa has turned her life around and is working very hard to move on to bigger and better things, not only for her but her family as well. GO AHEAD LISA, proud of you!
It’s funny how you fools draw conclusions without knowing all the facts. And I’m disappointed in Bernews for not reporting ALL details. Her last conviction was in 2002…TEN YEARS AGO. Funny how people are never allowed to mistake….until they get caught.
“It’s unfortunate and you must be commended” hmmmm that says it all. Commended for stealing the wallet or what, come on we are rewarding criminal behaviour. At least the Magistrate held firm on the $400 repayment.
Reading the article it was opportunistic(sp) was it not?
I’m sorry…commended??? I realize it’s “petty theft” and it should be dealt with accordingly but $400 or $2…she stole my friends wallet! And in front of two young girls!! Hardly the example she should be setting for children! And I don’t wanna hear desperate times call for desperate measures! Many of us are experiencing hard times…RIGHT IS RIGHT and WRONG IS WRONG!!
What’s wrong with people?? She commits a crime and is prosecuted for it. She is ordered by the court to return all the money. Moreover, she would not have been locked up for that amount anyway. The only variable is that she did not have the conviction recorded. That allows her to continue her studies and achieve whatever other future plans with a minimum of trouble. Well played Judge…punished the behavior, but did not “handcuff” the future of the person.
Sounds like her “Social Work” studies are serving her well… SMFH!!
By returning to the court and changing her plea, this young lady wrestled with her conscience and won, thus saving the court’s time and earning the judge’s commendation. In addition, based on the story, she used to be known to the courts and had turned her life around to the point where she was away in school learning to help others who might have been in the same position she once found herself.
The brain is a “creature” of habit and is programmed not to waste energy thinking about things it already knows how to do. Once an action happens often enough, we do it by rote, without engaging the thinking part of the brain – like cleaning our teeth, tying our shoelaces, riding a bicycle, or even using drugs.
This is why an addict can say with absolute truth, “once the money was in my hand, the next thing I remember was walking away with the drugs.” This is also why relapse is so common, and why Ms. James could lament ” “I’m embarrassed. I wish I had never come home. Why’d I do that? What was in my head? My schooling is in jeopardy. My job is in danger. I don’t understand. I don’t do things like that.”
This is not to excuse her behavior. I am a firm believer in natural, appropriate consequences, and full restitution is an appropriate consequence, as is a conditional discharge – meaning that she has to stay out of trouble for the next however long, or experience not only the consequences for the new crime but this one as well. To have listed her as a criminal at this stage of her life, when she has made an effort to turn her life around would be cruel.
“The quality of mercy is not strained.”
To all u self centered innocent ppl who have gold liniing in their families u all can go to hell. None of u know Lisa none of u! Before u start bashing someone for what they’ve done consider who’s a murderer in ur own families. What have u done, ur mother, ur father and your significant others! She is wrong yes but who are u all to condemn? Watch yourselves because u don’t know when the knock is going to come to your door!!!! Go to hell
My opinion WAS that of the pastors above but after reading your input, here’s the harsh reality. She’s a thief, simple as that, and I’ll meet you there at the gates.
Agree 1000 %
Joonya, jadywolf and some ish get ur facts right. U don’t know what ur talking about. Prostitution and stealing is no greater or less offense than stealing. Do u know whay she changed her life, her plea? Its to help people like u all who find themselves in her situation as time passes. So go ahead and comment. I’d bet NONE of u would say shyte to her face – then ull know who she REALLY IS!!! This is NOT her and yes she is one of the Bermudian survival stories many of ur family members couldn’t even come close to her statue! And for the girl whose friend the wallet belonged to an ole folk tale says – “a liar is worse than a thief” so ur friend is worse than he cuz she DID NOT have 400$ but couldve had 700$ as this was what she told the judge she was willing to pay back. So again go to hell and remember never condemn as u don’t know who ull need one day, it jus may be Lisa. And if u took time to get to know her ull see she’s one of the kindest, genuine, and sincere people u want to meet
I commend Ms. Lisa for admitting her guilt. It must be a struggle for her due to her past, as stated. I hope and pray tht she will be able to successfully continue her studies and graduate with honors and help many others awaiting her profession to also bring them out of their challenges. Good job Ms. Lisa and to the Judge to give her another chance.
1st of all u small minded ppl that will hide ur identity on hur & then smile in her face ur all fake!! U damn bermudian jus put every down bt urself wt u need 2 d0 figure out is y ur man aint in ur bed @ night shit like dat no u wn2 run dwn som1 who has mad remarkable turn around in her life!! S0 b4 u try tlk about sum1 elses skeletons in their closet try cleanin out ur own!! Go by what u kno lil of what ur told
Come correct please have a bucket of ice in hell cuz u seem to be selected for the door!
I am a hard working person stable never been in trouble somewhat confortable in life do you think the judge would have been lenient like that with me?So please look at it from bothsides of the fence. Now if my man is in someones elses bed that has nothing to do with the court system that is personal choice or do know (who are you ppl).
Regardless of what YOU all “think” about ones past or future it is what it is… Judgement upon earth is by design, and it will always be. Pitty is many of u same people commenting have or have someone in your family that’s doing illegal things. I.e your man selling drugs to support your lifestyles. Your cousins doing time or charged with murder there is no difference. Would she have been less talked about if she imported drugs or guns like the rest? She’s wrong and that’s it. So judge not my dears… One day you’ll lick the very wounds you’re now trying to scrape. No worries ME (whoever u r) it really don’t matter never did never will! THE END life goes on
I’d love to have seen her face when she saw herself on tape looking around to see if anyone saw the move .
MP its better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt! And everybody jus FFOKCUF already. Its done – NEXT!!!
Peek-a-Boo I see you … Ha ha ha Jokes on you fool .
shit! i wouldve done de same thing! its not lisa fault de dumb chick left her wallet behind! i was brought up on finders keepers! its not like she robbed her by gun point or climbed in her window! she left it behind so dat her punishment for being careless! n im sure more than half of u A.S.Ses have done de same thing! love u lisa always have always will!
Well kiss my_you know what! Same courts ruined my job, education and future with jail sentences for ‘no fixed abodes’ and ‘civil debt’. And society treats me like a criminal because of the sentences. Go figure!
Devon, you were never taught “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? If not you had a very sad upbringing, and my heart goes out to you as well as to Lisa.
Yeah ur jus so bloody perfect aren’t u ONION breath… That’s all u r is dead smelly breath! Go get a handle for ur outdated can! U don’t know her so BACKOFF… #
Lmao @who do u think… “ONION breath… That’s all u r is dead smelly breath! Go get a handle for ur outdated can!”. HA! How ridiculous!!
@bermudaonion. I agree with u…how was he/she not taught the golden rule?!!
Okay its me speaking now… To every last one of u people who judge a person by their mistakes. If any of you have something to say my number is 5182982 I can be found just about anyhwhere so please do chat to my face. Bring it over here and beat ur gums and seee what gets printed then… I’m not threatening u I’m promising u it won’t be nice. To hide behind ur fake names is ur best quality as most of u have skeletons and if u wasn’t so busy watching everyone else you’ll see what’s really F’d in your lives. Now if you’re not going to say it to my face then I suggest you keep your traps shut before u have 6weeks before you can consume solid foods! And yes I said that too!
Hey Lisa … , Good . Looks like you’ve scared everyone away . Listen , I got a job for ya . There’s a bee hive next door and , I’m wondering if you could get the honey and the honeycomb for me without the bee’s knowing they’re being ripped off . I promise there’s no camera’s around . My number’s 2928851 .. Call Me
I hate that bernews has a comment section!!! All you people that sit up behind a computer/smartphone and comment on what goes around the courts go get a life. Bermuda SMH! Anyway I don’t kno Lisa but what I do kno is that I would have did the same thing. Yes I would have took that dopey womans wallet cuz she obviously didn’t want it. But then she try making it look like she had more money than what she had she is doin the stealing cuz she knows full well she only had 275 and not 400. Anyway Lisa hold ya head up cuz we kno u don’t have a problem paying it back. It was only taken cuz it was left and with no return address on it. We stacking pounds 4get the dollar!
Concerned
Tiyid
Who r u ppl
It is what it is
Who do u think YOU R
Its of#ckinvler!
Coming from the UK!
Peek a boo, u r funny. Hi Lisa lol smh
Did she show proof that she is REALLY studying in the UK. Her two children are in school there!!