LOS ANGELES — A 73-year-old Pasadena man is scheduled in court today for arraignment on attempted murder and animal cruelty charges.
Lance Anthony Semkus faces one felony count each of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder, mayhem, attempted second-degree robbery and two counts of cruelty to an animal.
The charges include allegations of great bodily injury and use of a knife.
Semkus is charged with attempting to steal a woman’s dog in front of a pet store on Oct. 23. Later on the same day, the defendant allegedly approached another woman and slashed her throat, the prosecutor said. The woman fought him off but is alleged to have suffered severe injuries to her neck and hand, the prosecutor added.
Investigators later discovered Semkus’ two dogs had been killed, the prosecutor said.
If convicted as charged, Semkus faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 32 years to life in state prison. Bail is set at $10 million.
