Two High Profile Pasadena Criminal Cases, Including Man Accused of Stealing Hearse, Go to Court

This week, two high-profile Pasadena criminal cases will move forward in the Pasadena Courthouse of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Here’s an update and profile of each of these cases.

 

Pretrial Hearing Lance Anthony Semkus, March 12

Lance Anthony Semkus, 75, of Pasadena, faces one felony count each of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder, mayhem, attempted second degree robbery and two counts of cruelty to an animal, in connection with attempting to steal a woman’s dog in front of a pet store on October 23, 2017.

Later on the same day, the defendant allegedly approached another woman and slashed her throat, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The woman fought him off but is alleged to have suffered severe injuries to her neck and hand.

Investigators later discovered Semkus’ two dogs had been killed.

The charges against Semkus include allegations of great bodily injury and use of a knife.

If convicted as charged, Semkus faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 32 years to life in state prison. He remains in custody, with bail set at $10 million.

 

Preliminary Hearing for James Juarez, March 13

James Juarez, 25, a transient, faces one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and driving or taking a vehicle without consent, in connection with allegedly stealing a Lincoln Navigator hearse, with a casket and body inside, from in front of an East Pasadena church on February 26, and leading police in a pursuit.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 2.

The 2017 Lincoln Navigator reportedly still had a deceased person inside it when it was taken, prosecutors said. The next day, police spotted the vehicle allegedly driven by Juarez, who then led law enforcement on a pursuit which ended with a crash on the 110 Freeway.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of more than three years in state prison.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Newton Division.

The hearing will be held at Dept. 33 in the Criminal Courts Building in Los Angeles.