Good News for Lindsay Lohan? Jeweler in Theft Case Sells Key Evidence

By Christine Fenno Posted Mar 6th 2011 02:32PM

This weekend brings a major new wrinkle in the case against Lindsay Lohan, in which she's accused of felony theft by a jewelry store owner who says the actress stole a $2,500 necklace in January.

Kamofie & Co. has just sold the surveillance video allegedly showing Lindsay Lohan leaving the store with the unpaid merchandise, according to a new report from RadarOnline.com. And the sale, reportedly brokered by a media dealer who peddled the footage to both U.S. and international outlets, is estimated to be earning the Southern California jeweler more than $35,000.

"The jewelry store wanted a bidding war to maximize profits," a source tells Radar. Entertainment Tonight is reportedly one buyer; the show is expected to air the controversial footage on Monday.

On the one hand, public scrutiny of the video could further embarrass the troubled actress, who left rehab in early January, after months of trying to resolve her legal woes so she can repair her image and revive her career.

On the other hand, the prosecution's case against Lohan is in jeopardy, now that its key witness has made such a money-hungry move. In the past, Lohan's team has suggested she was set up, and as the opportunistic jeweler walks off with thousands before the case is even tried, the store's claim that they were victims of theft weakens.

"Lindsay Lohan may have just gotten the luckiest break of her life," RadarOnline's managing editor and executive vice president, David Perel, tells PopEater. "If the criminal case comes down to her word versus the word of the jeweler, it will be Advantage: Lindsay. The jewelry store has now used the case for profit, and Lindsay's lawyer is sure to have a very compelling argument that the cash-for-tape scandal destroys the credibility of Lindsay's accuser."

And as for Lohan's attorey, Shawn Chapman Holley, Radar reports that the jeweler's lawyer contacted Holley last week about obtaining the defense's copy of the video -- allegedly in order to keep it from being shared or leaked, all in an effort to ensure top dollar for their own lucrative sale of the tape.

Both the prosecution and the defense are "not happy" about the sale of the footage. Lohan, meanwhile, is reportedly "terrified" of doing any jail time, but may be feeling hopeful if indeed the jeweler has sabotaged the case by selling key evidence. The 24-year-old film star's next court date is this Thursday, March 11.

Tags: lindsay lohan

Comments

(68)

Sunday 06 March

By samandtac

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I would be surprised if the prosecution carried on wiyh the case about Lilo and the necklace. Buy selling the film the jeweler just blew any claim against Lohan.They seem shady to me.

By mark

what sounds pretty sketchy to me !!!that tape is evidence,the police should have it tagged and bagged in a evidence room

Monday 07 March

By Tom

As Mark said,the tape is evidence and should have been tagged and bagged as evidence, AND, no doubt it was. What the store did was sell a copy of the tape which probably doesn't affect the prosecutions case one iota. The media is simply trying to string out a story that has no merit. That's pretty sick of the media to do that, but most of us already know that.

By Andrew

That was really dumb of them but from what I read on TMZ the video appears to back up Lohan's story that she simply forgot she was wearing it.

Apparently she wore the necklace the entire time of about 45 minutes she was in the store trying on other pieces of jewelry. Doesn't sound like she was trying to sneak out with it.

By moudsie

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so, let's see, she "wore" it the whole time she was in the store, and what, in a drug-induced fog, forgot she had it on, forgot she didn't pay for it, oh wait, she thought it was a gift, on loan, whatever. OMG, this just gets dumber and dumber. Let her go, she'll shoot up, drink, kill somebody and then maybe someone will take the right action -- but until she actually maims and/or kills someone--she's golden. Sickening.

By Anonymous

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Lindsay Lohan won't go to jail. I'll dream Lindsay Lohan and me tonight.

By Hmmm

And you don't think that this is a covert move by the Lohan camp? They're definitely somehow behind it. It has the smell of Michael Lohan.

By yayabeanes

The video tape will speak for itself despite the fact that the rights to air it were sold.

By mw

Of course another break for Lilo, thats her life story. You or me would be in jail and not running around the streets. Why did they sell the tape to begin with? They should have waited til the case was closed. Probably mommy or daddy had a hand in this, it wouldn't surprise me one bit. Well, if the charges are dropped, she will screw up some other way.

By nancy p*

all this jewelry store owner wanted was a big payout and publicity ,,well he just showed us what a liar he is,,,,,,
lindsay im rooting for you,,,,,
the defense is going to show that the owner was uncredible,, and now selling the tape,,,,,, in the eyes of the law,, thats illegal especially in a theft trial,, go lindsay,,,

By lois

This is too bad. She needs to go to jail for 5 years. Maybe tht will finally teach her to stop being the spoiled brat she is thinking she is above the law !

By gobluespartyon

I think the store owner was looking to cash in from the start so there shady. Means no case and the charges will be dropped.

By Vickie

Hilarious. They couldn't sell the overpriced piece of crap, so they sold the video. Truly funny.

By Ruth

Excuse me, but why did the jewelry store have the
tape anyway. Isn't that what they call evidence, why
didn't the police have it. Something smells fishy here.

By ltjaysantos

Most places have DVRs that record camera footage.Its higher quality and they can make tapes or DVDs off the hard drive.Tapes are a thing of the past.

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

I am deeply disappointed by this turn of events. I really wanted to see her sent up the river. Now she'll think she can get away with anything again.

By wasatchgirl

Sounds like both parties in this scandal are untrustworthy and opportunists. Does ANYONE have integrity anymore?? I'm sure not in Hollywood, but somewhere?? Maybe??

By The Real Howard S

If the surveillance tape is key evidence, why did the store owner sill have it in his possession? Shouldn't it been given to the prosecutors?

By Ltpar

I don't put much credibility in the tabloid reports on the case. The first thing that would have happened in the criminal investigation is that the video footage along with the jewelry item, would have been seized as evidence by the Police. The store would not have been given a copy of the tape and would have been warned by the D.A. about making public statements to the media about the case. This would have also precluded the store from selling the tape and causing jury contamination. The only thing that might remotely save Lohan in this case is, if the store owner decides they don't want prosecution and settles the matter civilly (pay off).

By Mary

By selling the evidence prior to the trial, wouldn't that be considered tampering with the evidence? And wouldn't the jewelry store owner be subjected to prosecution? And also possible jail time? I hope so. Also the fact that Lindsay wore the necklace out of the store and subsequently wore it again, is in fact theft. If you know you didn't pay for it, but wore it anyway...regardless of what is on the video, she is in fact, guilty.

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