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Posted on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 5:57 a.m.

Lansing woman pleads guilty to role in three July break-ins

By Kyle Feldscher

A Lansing woman pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree home invasion for serving as the lookout for three break-ins on the same July day.

Diane Marie Muthee.jpg

Diane Muthee

Diane Muthee, who is currently being held at the Washtenaw County Jail, agreed to plead guilty to the three third-degree home invasion charges in exchange for Washtenaw County prosecutors dropping the six charges of first-degree home invasion she originally faced.

Muthee said she acted as a lookout on July 5 while Edgar Hall, who was also originally charged in the case with six counts of first-degree home invasion, broke into homes on the 900 block of Greenwood Avenue, 800 block of Packard Street and the 900 block of Sylvan Street.

Edgar Fitzgerald Hall.jpg

Edgar Hall

As a part of the plea agreement, no other charges can be brought against Muthee related to the Ann Arbor police report taken from the incident.

Muthee, who was 32 when she was charged in July, faces up to five years in prison and a $2,000 fine on each count of third-degree home invasion she pleaded guilty to.

Police said televisions, laptop computers, video game systems and other items were taken from the homes, with the total value adding up to between $3,000 and $4,000.

Muthee and Hall are reported to be acquaintances and were both arrested on the day of the crimes after police spotted them near the home on Packard that was burglarized.

The case was sent to Washtenaw County Trial Court for sentencing. Muthee is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14 by Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Melinda Morris.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

Sallyxyz

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.

"...agreed to plead guilty to the three third-degree home invasion charges in exchange for Washtenaw County prosecutors dropping the six charges of first-degree home invasion she originally faced." WHY? Can someone please explain this plea bargain to me??? What possible reason is there for dropping the 6 charges of 1st degree home invasion??? So, this now means that our "slap on the wrist" judge Melinda Morris can give the perp a "slap on the wrist" as punishment, and so it goes in Washtenaw County.... "As a part of the plea agreement, no other charges can be brought against Muthee related to the Ann Arbor police report taken from the incident." This makes absolutely NO sense to me. Can someone explain?