Edward James Jefferson, convicted of trespassing at the Farmers Market in Yuba City, said his sentence Friday of 45 days in jail is excessive, but the assistant district attorney for Sutter County called the punishment "eminently reasonable."

Assistant D.A. Fred Schroeder said the sentence imposed by Superior Court Judge Chris Chandler came after remarks by Jefferson indicating the defendant had no remorse for his actions.

"If you're not sorry for what you did wrong," Schroeder said, "we cannot expect that you won't do it again."

Law enforcement had said Jefferson occupied a booth Aug. 18, 2007, at the downtown Farmers Market, then held on Center Street off Plumas Street, and refused to leave or to pay for the space. A juror said after the two-day trial ended Wednesday that the case had nothing to do with free speech or constitutional rights but with Jefferson refusing to leave or pay the $25 for the booth space.

Jefferson, 60, a Yuba City resident, contended he was at the market to try and register voters as well as collect signatures for various state measures. Along with the county jail time he was fined $125 and placed on three years probation.

Jefferson said after the sentencing that a person convicted of shoplifting would get a lighter sentence than what he received.

But Schroeder said most people who get caught for such an offense aren't seen again in court and are sorry for their actions.

Jefferson by contrast complained after the guilty verdict, Schroeder said.

"It had a lot to do with his attitude," Schroeder said of how a judge might react to Jefferson's lack of remorse. "You're asking for him to do something to make you think about it."

The trespassing counts involved charges that Jefferson interfered with a business and refused to leave after such interference.

Jefferson is scheduled to begin his county jail sentence Nov. 13 and said he'll do so.

"I don't have much choice," he said.

Jefferson said he'll still have to pay his $710 rent while in jail and unable to work.

He said that the District Attorney's office originally offered, before the trial, a plea agreement that would have involved anger management class, two years probation and that he stay away from the Yuba City market.

But Jefferson said he turned down that offer and a second one because, "I wasn't guilty."

Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appeal-democrat.com