Lawrence Resident Convicted of Three Counts Aggravated Robbery and One Count Aggravated Burglary

03/12/2009
PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: 03/12/09 CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Lawrence Resident Convicted of Three Counts Aggravated Robbery and One Count Aggravated Burglary Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Lee Andrew Mitchell-Pennington, 20, was convicted today of three counts of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated burglary. The conviction followed a jury trial which began yesterday in the Division Six Courtroom. Closing arguments were made this morning and the case went to the jury around noon. The jury deliberated for approximately one and a half hours before returning its verdict. The court case stemmed from a home invasion Mitchell-Pennington committed along with three other associates. At approximately 3:30 a.m. on October 5, 2008 the group knocked on the door of an apartment in the 2400 block of Alabama. When an occupant opened the door the group pushed their way inside. Several of the criminals had handguns; they threatened the victims with the guns and then proceeded to steal multiple items from inside the apartment. A partial list of items taken in the robbery included X-Box gaming systems, multiple video games, a wallet, two laptops and cell phones. When the group was finished stealing items they threatened the victims to not call law enforcement and to not move for ten minutes or they would be shot. Mitchell-Pennington's defense attorney argued the State's evidence was insufficient to prove the crimes had been committed by his client. Mitchell-Pennington will be sentenced on April 20 at 3:00 p.m. in Division Six. The Honorable Peggy C. Kittel presided over the case. It was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Britton. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com