Man Pleads Guilty to Incident at Wachs’ Home

The man whose attempt to break into Joel Wachs’ house was foiled by the councilman and a Sparkletts water driver pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor trespassing, battery and drunk driving.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Cohen said burglary charges were dropped against Michael Peter Hannmann because authorities could not prove his intent.

“He was banging on the door, saying: ‘This is my house, let me in,’ ” before he broke the councilman’s window, Cohen said. The defendant’s blood-alcohol level was 0.19%, more than twice the legal limit, when he was arrested May 21.

Hannmann had spent the previous night at another house in the same Studio City neighborhood, but left in the morning, Cohen said. He may have mistaken Wachs’house for the neighbor’s.

Wachs held a news conference after the incident, telling reporters he was enjoying a cup of coffee just before 9 a.m. when he heard breaking glass. Wachs grabbed a long kitchen knife and ran outside, wearing only a bathrobe and slippers. There, he encountered Mohsen Lavizani. They pursued Hannmann, who was captured by police.