FARMINGTON -- Dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, the man police said attempted to steal several cars a year ago at a Layton intersection pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday.
Orlando Robert Lopez, 23, entered the guilty pleas in 2nd District Court on two counts of third-degree felony aggravated assault, one count of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a class B misdemeanor, one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor.
Lopez was originally charged with four counts of first-degree felony aggravated robbery, one count of second-degree felony theft, one count of third-degree felony criminal mischief and three misdemeanors.
Lopez's attorney, Rand Lunceford, said prosecutors agreed to allow Lopez to file for a double 402 motion if he completes his probation successfully, which means the third-degree felonies could be reduced to class B misdemeanors.
Lunceford said prosecutors also agreed to allow Lopez to receive credit for the six months he was held in Davis County Jail following his arrest. A sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 8.
Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings said his office agreed to the plea deal for several reasons. The first is because the first victim in the case did not want to see Lopez prosecuted.
"She would have been happy if we just dismissed the case because of Mr. Lopez's mental condition at the time," Rawlings said.
Rawlings said when Lopez stole her vehicle, then crashed it, he "was agitated and believed the world was coming to an end."
"He tried to get into other vehicles and warn people the world was coming to an end," Rawlings said.
Rawlings said that by law if Lopez's mental capacity was diminished because of drugs or alcohol, the state would have a difficult time showing he intended to steal the vehicles, so that is why he agreed to the third-degree felonies.
The state does not have to show intent with a third-degree felony, but show that the behavior was reckless, Rawlings said.
Lopez was arrested July 3, 2010, near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Hill Field Road. Lopez had stolen a Jeep earlier in the evening out of Sunset.
Lopez smashed the rear windows and dented several cars with his hands as he tried to break into them.
When he was arrested, police said, Lopez had blood on his hands and "a strong odor of alcohol coming from his body."
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