Plea possible in battery

A 27-year-old South Lake Tahoe man, accused of knocking his mother off a 4-foot high balcony, is set to plead guilty to battery in a plea agreement with the district attorney's office.

James Mickelson is expected to plead guilty to battery by a probationer or parolee for allegedly choking and punching a man Nov. 9 at his mother's residence.

The incident occurred while Mickelson was on probation from California.

In a letter to East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl, the victim, who attended Wednesday's court session, said she initiated the argument with her son and pushed him twice.

"I know he wasn't trying to kill me," she said. "I love him. I don't feel like the victim of a crime."

She said she couldn't remember everything that happened, but did not fear Mickelson.

Mickelson also was charged with battering his mother, but that was dismissed.

In the plea agreement, the district attorney's office has agreed to recommend 12-36 months in prison.

"I feel like it's the best I can do," Mickelson said.

Witnesses told Douglas County deputies they could hear Mickelson and his mother arguing.

He allegedly choked her and dragged her outside where they broke through a protective railing and fell 4 feet.

Deputies said the victim was bleeding profusely from the head. When they interviewed her, she was conscious but incoherent, according to reports.

She was taken by medical helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.