A
transient who allegedly broke into the home of LL Cool J is still in
the hospital recovering from injuries he received during a fight with
the star, L.A. prosecutors said.
Jonathan Kirby, 56, was charged with residential
burglary with a person
present, which in combination with his
criminal history could result in
significant
prison time -- perhaps as much as 38 years in state prison.
He suffered a broken nose and jaw at the hands of the action star Wednesday morning. But law
enforcement sources say detectives believe the actor acted in
self-defense.
When
Los Angeles police arrived at the Blairwood Drive home around 1 a.m.
Wednesday, LL Cool J had detained the battered and bruised suspect. The
man was later identified as Kirby, a transient with a
lengthy arrest record for thefts, fights and drugs, officials said.
Kirby was arrested on suspicion of burglary and may face a battery charge.
LL Cool J, born
James Todd Smith,
told police he was upstairs in his home when he heard a noise coming
from the kitchen area. When he went to investigate, a man came at him,
leading to the fight, police said.
During what several sources
described as a brawl, Kirby suffered a broken nose, jaw and ribs. The
actor, who was not injured, later told authorities that he acted out of concern for his family.
A
Texas native, Kirby has a record of thefts, disorderly conduct and
other criminal activity across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Court
and prison records indicate Kirby was sentenced to five years in
prison for burglary in the 1990s and three years in prison for
petty
theft in 2005. He also has another theft conviction for which he served
jail time, records show. He was discharged from prison on Feb. 1.
Investigators suspect Kirby may be responsible for other break-ins in the Studio City area in recent weeks.
