Men Accused In Paul Walker Porsche Theft Plead No Contest

Posted by: Perry Smith in Sheriff News August 6, 2014 - 9:14 am 0 307 Views

Two defendants pleaded no contest to stealing a vehicle part from the Porsche driven by Paul Walker in his fatal crash last November, officials said Wednesday.

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Anthony Edward Janow, 26, of Phoenix, pleaded no contest to a felony count of grand theft and a misdemeanor count of destroying evidence and another for obstructing an officer.

Jameson Brooks Witty, 18, of Tujunga, pleaded to three misdemeanor counts: grand theft of personal property, destroying evidence and obstructing a police officer.

A no contest plea is considered the same as a guilty plea in the eyes of the court.

Both are expected to receive six months in Los Angeles County jail when they are sentenced.

Witty is expected to be sentenced Aug. 14, and Janow is expected to be sentenced Oct. 23.

Both men were already warned by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy they could not take any part of the vehicle, according to the prosecutor, Brad Lieberman.

From a previous story:

Related: Two Men Accused In Paul Walker Porsche Theft Due Back

The Porsche in a fatal crash that killed Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker and Valencia CEO Roger Rodas was traveling about 100 mph, according to a Coroner’s Office report, a claim being challenged in a recent lawsuit.

The crash rendered the Porsche barely recognizable, and as the wrecked vehicle was towed away from the scene, Witty and Janow allegedly stole parts from the Porsche while the wreck was on a tow truck at a traffic light.

When the tow truck left the scene at about 10 p.m. that night, several vehicles followed it eastbound on Newhall Ranch Road.

At one point the driver of the tow truck stopped at the red light, while headed eastbound on Newhall Ranch Road at McBean Parkway.

A witness saw a male exit a vehicle that was following the tow truck and grab a piece of the wrecked Porsche off the tow truck bed. The male drove away with the stolen vehicle part.

The tow truck driver reported the theft to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, and their investigation yielded two suspects.

A message on an Instagram account called “jamesonwitty” shortly after the crash contained the message: “Piece of Paul walkers car, took it off a tow truck at a stop light #paulwalker #rip #comeup” was found shortly after the crash.

The pair pleaded in open court, which meant it was not a prenegotiated deal with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

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