An Otsego man accused of home break-ins in Watson Township and car and gun thefts last year halted a plea hearing Tuesday in Allegan County Circuit Court.
Kenneth Earl Lapham, 35, was scheduled to plead guilty to some of the charges against him, but his lawyer, Edwin Griffin Johnson III, indicated his client has withdrawn from the offer.
Lapham and his then-girlfriend Haley Jenkins, 22, of Martin, were accused of the break-ins and thefts after being apprehended Aug. 4 last year. Lapham also has been accused of beating up and attempted sexual assault of Jenkins, who earlier this year served her sentence and is attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Lapham’s plea agreement with Allegan County prosecutors was for him to plead guilty to one count of home invasion, one count of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
In exchange, one count of home invasion, one count of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle and one count of being a felon in possession, two counts of felony firearms and two counts of larceny of a firearm would be dropped.
Furthermore, as part of the deal, sentencing on the home invasion charge also would not carry any habitual offender notice and sentencing on the other two would carry a second habitual offender notice, rather than a fourth.
Circuit Judge Kevin Cronin has agreed to give Lapham until Aug. 22 to decide whether to accept a plea agreement. If he doesn’t, the matter would be set for trial and the prosecutor’s office’s offers will be withdrawn.
Prosecutors believe Jenkins, despite her involvement in the break-ins and thefts, was a victim. Lapham has been charged with attempted criminal sexual conduct, aggravated domestic violence and felonious assault in that case. However, they seek to overturn the decision of a district court judge that found there wasn’t enough evidence for other charges of torture, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment and assault with intent to do great bodily harm.
Cronin had intended to hear that motion, but will now reschedule it.
The crimes happened Aug. 4, when police allege Lapham and Jenkins were accused of breaking into a Watson Township home of her sister and two other Watson Township homes during the day, stealing cars from both of them, along with cash, a pair of handguns and food.
Authorities caught up with them at their home in Otsego because a stolen Dodge Ram was seen at the residence.
PHOTOS: Kenneth Lapham Haley Jenkins
