Woman Accused of Breaking in to Alex Trebek's Hotel Room Could Face Life Sentence

Alex Trebek (AP) (AP2011)

SAN FRANCISCO – The woman accused of breaking into Alex Trebek's hotel room remained in jail Wednesday and could face a life sentence if convicted of burglarizing the "Jeopardy" host, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

After pleading not guilty in San Francisco Superior Court on Monday, Lucinda Moyers, 56, was told by prosecutors that she faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of a third serious felony under California's "three strikes and you're out" law.

"I'm facing a life sentence," Moyers reportedly said amid tears after hearing the news. "I'm never going to see life again outside if I'm found guilty."

District Attorney spokeswoman Erica Terry Derryck told the paper that Moyers has two previous burglary convictions on her record. In 1990 she was convicted of burglarizing a hotel room at the Fisherman's Wharf hotel. Then in 1991 she agreed to a plea bargain and served four years after she broke into another downtown San Francisco hotel while still on probation from the first conviction.

Under the three strikes law, a conviction of a violent or serious felony for a defendant with at least two prior similar convictions can be given 25 years to life behind bars.

Derryk said that Moyers' attempt to burglarize Trebek's hotel room can be considered a serious, violent felony because she broke into the room while it was occupied.

After a preliminary hearing, prosecutors will have to review their decisions to count the two previous felonies as strikes. Moyers said that her previous crimes were the result of a heroin addiction, according to the Chronicle.

Moyers maintains that she is innocent of the crime that caused the television host to rupture his Achilles tendon while chasing her down the hall last week at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

Trebek, 71, sprang into action around 2:30am last Wednesday after Moyers allegedly entered his room, where he was sleeping with wife Jean, and swiped cash and other items including a treasured bracelet given to him by his mother.

Recounting the incident in an interview for the "Today" show last week, Trebek said, "I realized immediately someone had been in the room. I put on my underwear and ran down the hall to see if I could find her."

"Today" host Matt Lauer responded by wondering out loud, "Alex Trebek sleeps in the nude?"

Moyers is being held in jail on $625,000 bail until her next court appearance on Aug. 15.

Trebek, who has hosted "Jeopardy" for more than 25 years, is expected to be in a cast for six weeks.