‘Lock Me Up,’ He Said

A lifetime resident of East Hampton is greeting the New Year in county jail after pleading guilty on Monday to harassment, a violation. Lewis C. Seitz, 58, was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Mr. Seitz was arrested Friday night after a dispute with Alexander Colonna, the owner of the Springs house in which he lived. Mr. Seitz had shoved Mr. Colonna, according to the police.

Where Mr. Seitz will live next became an issue the next morning during his arraignment in East Hampton Town Justice Court. Mr. Colonna was in court asking Justice Steven Tekulsky to order the man to stay away from Mr. Colonna’s family, and his Lafayette Street residence. Justice Tekulsky agreed to issue an order of protection, and Mr. Seitz’s arraignment began, with Mr. Colonna looking on.

The justice told Mr. Seitz he was now barred from returning to the Lafayette Street house, except for one police-accompanied visit to pick up his possessions. Mr. Seitz had been doing work for Mr. Colonna, and had many tools there.

Justice Tekulsky asked the defendant where he was going to live next. “Your guess is as good as mine, but I shall find a place.”

Clearly agitated, the handcuffed Mr. Seitz continually looked back over his shoulder at Mr. Colonna, who was seated in the front row. A court officer and Justice Tekulsky both asked him to turn and face the bench. “I did a lot of work for nothing, because I thought he was my friend,” Mr. Seitz finally said. “Generosity has gotten me into trouble, more than once.”

Mr. Seitz continually spoke to himself, to the officer standing next to him, and to Mr. Colonna. “No cursing,” Justice Tekulsky said at one point. “I wasn’t cursing,” Mr. Seitz answered.

Justice Tekulsky entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf and cautioned Mr. Seitz to say nothing to him about the facts of the case, as the proceedings were being recorded. Legal Aid Society does not provide attorneys to the court on weekends.

Mr. Seitz told the court he had been in an accident in the 1970s, during which he suffered a traumatic head injury.

Justice Tekulsky, still concerned that the defendant had no place to live, told him that a therapist had contacted the court, recommending that Mr. Seitz check himself into a drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation center. If he did so, said the justice, he would be released without bail.

The defendant agreed, then immediately changed his mind. Justice Tekulsky warned that he would set bail at $500, which Mr. Seitz said he could not post. He again agreed to check himself into the facility.

He was taken back to police headquarters but was soon back in the courthouse, once more declining to be taken to rehabilitation. Justice Tekulsky then set the $500 bail.

On Monday, Mr. Seitz was brought back to court by Suffolk County sheriffs. He spoke with Brian Francese of Legal Aid in a prolonged private conference. The two men then stood before Justice Tekulsky.

The defendant was told that should he elect to plead guilty, he would be sentenced to 15 days, less the two already served. He would get more time off for good behavior. He was given a return-to-court date in about two weeks.

“Lock me up,” he said.