Sagon Penn Admits Damaging Motorcycle; Other Count Dropped

Sagon Penn pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor vandalism and was ordered released from County Jail after serving 15 days after assaulting his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend.

The conviction is a far cry from the felony attempted-murder charge under which Penn was originally booked by San Diego police when he was arrested May 31 at the ex-girlfriend’s Normal Heights apartment.

Victim Snagged Case

City Atty. John Witt said the reduced charge was agreed on after the victim declined to cooperate with prosecutors.

“It’s a major problem in any kind of prosecution like this,” Witt said in describing Roger Worshim’s unwillingness to follow up with the case against Penn, 27.

“You can go ahead with it,” Witt added. “And we often do, particularly in cases of spousal abuse. But we felt that, under the circumstances, this was a very fair settlement to the people involved. We feel that we accomplished what could be expected.”

Penn’s attorney, Nanette Monson, said the plea-bargain arrangement was in her client’s best interests.

“The city attorney definitely had problems with this case,” she said. “Mr. Worshim had no intention of cooperating.

“But the city attorney also had some independent witnesses, and it’s their intention to prosecute all the way and never drop cases. So I think this arrangement worked out very well for Sagon. It worked out to his advantage.”

In two long, highly publicized trials, Penn, who is black, was twice acquitted of killing a white San Diego police officer and wounding another, along with a civilian ride-along. Since then, he has surfaced several times in domestic-disturbance incidents in which police have been called.

In the May 31 incident, Penn went to Donna Parks’ apartment and allegedly grabbed Worshim and tried to choke him. He also damaged Worshim’s motorcycle, which was parked outside.

On Wednesday, police officials defended the original attempted-murder citation under which Penn was jailed in the current case, saying it is normal procedure for authorities to detain suspects on the highest possible offense.

No Deadly Force Involved

Police spokesman Bill Robinson said: “It’s not unusual for charges to be reduced in our criminal justice system. I don’t know the intricacies of this case, but the district attorney and the city attorney know what they’re doing.”

After reviewing the case, the district attorney decided not to pursue felony charges in the matter because it did not involve a deadly weapon or cause serious bodily injury. The case was then referred to the city attorney’s office, and Penn was charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor vandalism.

Witt said that under the terms of the plea arrangement, the battery charge was dismissed in return for Penn’s pleading guilty plea to vandalizing the motorcycle.

Penn was ordered released from jail and placed on three years’ probation. He was also ordered to undergo periodic psychiatric evaluation, a requirement apparently sought after two courtroom outbursts in which he rambled about his love for Parks.

Municipal Judge Linda Quinn was advised that Penn had already given Worshim $1,500 for the motorcycle damage.

Even though the guilty plea means a conviction for Penn, Monson said it was the best course to follow.

“For a lot of reasons, it was the safer route,” she said. “He was facing a maximum of a year and a half in jail, and he already did 15 days actual time. So it seemed to be the appropriate move.”