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CRIME Mom rises to son's defense in court But judge has little sympathy for suspect in robbery-assault Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 3:28 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 4:19 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 3:28 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 4:19 PM » Social News A court hearing took a heated turn Wednesday after a defendant's mother insisted on addressing the court. Allen Shane Ledbetter, 25, of Central Point had just requested continuing his plea change hearing by a week, so he could have more time to decide whether to accept a plea agreement that would allow him to escape a Measure 11 sentence. After Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Markiewicz put into the record that Ledbetter had until Feb. 17 to made a decision, Ledbetter's mother stood up clutching a worn manila folder and insisted she be allowed to address the court. She was apparently angered that what began as a shoplifting of $40 in Walmart merchandise turned into a standoff at her home that made the newspaper — and she held aloft a page from the Aug. 27 Mail Tribune as evidence. She complained that she hadn't seen a police report on the case, yet her son has to decide whether to waive Measure 11 charges. "They upped the charges from (assault) 3 to a 2," Ledbetter's mother said. "I call this coercion." She pointed at Markiewicz and court-appointed defense attorney Michael Kellington and alleged that they were in cahoots. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Ravassipour wasn't buying any suggestion that the case was much ado about nothing. "That wouldn't have happened if there hadn't been an alleged robbery and a victim left unconscious," Ravassipour told the woman. "He's an adult," Ravassipour said. "He's not a minor. This is between him and his attorney." At about 2 p.m. Aug. 26, Ledbetter was allegedly caught shoplifting about $40 in bras, screws and paint with his girlfriend Destany Snook, a juvenile at the time, at the north Medford Walmart store. When a female employee approached him in the parking lot, Ledbetter allegedly pushed the woman so hard that she fell and hit her head, knocking her unconscious. An ambulance transported the woman to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Ledbetter also allegedly punched three other people when they attempted to assist in the apprehension. Medford police said Ledbetter apparently has a martial arts background. A standoff followed after the Ledbetter and Snook fled to his family's Central Point apartment in the 2600 block of Scenic Avenue, with Central Point police reporting that Snook was driving erratically en route. Ledbetter ultimately came out of the apartment with his hands in the air and was quickly arrested. He faces felony charges of second-degree robbery, a Measure 11 offense, along with two felony third-degree assault charges, four misdemeanor fourth-degree assault charges and a misdemeanor third-degree theft. Ledbetter has until Feb. 17 to accept a plea agreement that would sentence him to 37 months in prison. If Ledbetter declines the plea offer, the case will go to a jury trial where he'll face consecutive sentences for his charges if convicted. Snook faces a felony charge of second-degree robbery, two felony charges of third-degree assault, two misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault and reckless driving. Her next court date is set for Feb. 22. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 3:28 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 4:19 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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