Watertown man pleads not guilty to felony theft

July 14, 2022

Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–A Watertown man charged with two counts of felony theft entered a not guilty plea during a court appearance Wednesday.

Thirty five year-old Michael Alan Lawrence was indicted by a Codington County Grand Jury earlier this year for allegedly taking control of someone else’s property valued at more than $5,000, but less than $100,000.

The indictment indicates the alleged theft occurred between July 2018 and November 2018.

Defense attorney Clint Sargent requested a jury trial at Wednesday’s hearing, and also requested a transcript of the Grand Jury proceedings.

Circuit Court Judge Robert Spears is presiding over the case after Judge Carmen Means stepped down due to a conflict of interest. Spears did not set a trial date.

Both Sargent and prosecutor Kimberly Zachrison told the judge they expect the trial to last about three days.