Come for the crime ~ Stay for the mugshot

[left-of-center2012]

SANTA ANA – A 52-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for attacking his neighbor and her small dog as they walked in Irvine last year.

Craig Andrew Ledbetter of Irvine pleaded guilty to two felony counts of attempted murder and elder abuse, and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and resisting an officer, according to the Orange County Dsistrict Attorney’s Office.

On Sept. 29, 2015, the woman, who was 75 at the time, was walking her family’s mini poodle on Rockwood in the Woodbridge community at about 2:45 p.m., when a screaming and naked Ledbetter ran up to her and knocked her to the groud, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Ledbetter got on top of the victim and punched her in the face and chest. He then stood up and repeatedly kicked her in the head. He took the dog by the leash and swung the dog over his shoulder.

Witnesses called 911 and police responded to the scene. Officers had to use a Taser to subde Ledbetter and arrest him, authorities said.

The victim suffered serious injuries, including bleeding in the brain, a dislocated left arm and eye injuries, prosecutors said. Her dog was not injured.

Authorities said it was not immediately clear what provoked the attack.

[MADem]

1. Spittle-flecked, pointy-headed lunatic.. nt

[getagrip_already]

2. clearly, he is from france

Probably just wanted to play ring toss.

[Egnever]

5. Yep

[Mystery sage]

3. Wow

That head I Wonder how he got the conehead look

[PdxSean]

4. A slam dunk prosecution?

Yes, he did the deeds, but was he sane at the time? Cost of prison (plus meds?) over 10 years vs cost of proper medical care so he can care for himself and even contribute to society.

I too believe in holding people accountable, but running around naked suggest potential mental issues.

[Wilms]

6. I figured as much reading the story.

Then I saw the photo. Not sure where the lines are drawn but that guy does look ill.

[Jane Austin]

7. The photo reminds me of pictures of WWI

shell shock victims.

[Wilms]

8. Wow. I see.

Years back I saw a documentary about the Battle of the Bulge. They had footage of the walking wounded. I was slumped back in my chair.

Who knows what happened to this guy? Drugs? Violence? There are so many pitfalls for humans.

[Hekate]

9. Am I the only one wondering if the 75 y.o. woman ever recovered from her very serious injuries?

He kicked her poor head in!

I am not unaware of the tragedy of mental illness, but the first order of business when dealing with violent criminal acts is to STOP THE PERPETRATOR.

The son of one of my friends from grad school had a psychotic break and stabbed his petite and harmless stepmother to death outside their home. Just took a big old sharp knife and had at it. She and his dad had been trying for over a year to access care for him and were completely unable to get it because he was an adult and legally his consent was needed.

He is now tucked safely away in a prison, from which I hope he never gets out -- because, and this is key, the violently insane have the RIGHT to refuse treatment, even as the more numerous pitifully harmless insane have the right to sleep under bridges when they think they don't need their meds any more.

I hope Mr Conehead likewise is now living somewhere he can't up and decide to brutally attack quite elderly people and their tiny dogs.

[Fla Dem]

12. Yes, I wonder how she made out. So sad.

Even if she totally recovers, what a traumatic for her to go through.

[tonedevil]

10. It looks like...

Mr. Clean must have a nasty meth habit.

[Fla Dem]

11. OMG, a Conehead!

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Fla Dem]

13. Here's a little more information on the woman who was attacked.

75-year-old woman walking dog in Irvine attacked by naked neighbor
Sept. 30, 2015

>>>>snip<<<<<

The 75-year-old woman, who lives in Peru when she is not visiting family, was taken to a hospital where she remained Wednesday.

“He beat her up, gave her a broken arm; she’s hemorrhaging and bleeding,” Fitzsimons said. “I just got back from the hospital and her eyes are swollen shut, she can’t see anything.”

More>>>>>

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fitzsimons-685404-ledbetter-family.html