From Newsday - November 7, 2002
Guilty But No Jail
Ryder convicted of shoplifting
By Anna Gorman and Cara Mia DiMass, Los Angeles Times
Beverly Hills, Calif. - Film star Winona Ryder was convicted
yesterday of felony grand theft and vandalism for shoplifting more than $5,500
in designer merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.
The Oscar-nominated actress, who was acquitted of a burglary charge, sat motionless
as the Superior Court clerk read the verdicts. Ryder refused to discuss the
case before leaving the courthouse, saying only, "I'm sorry. Thanks for
asking. I just can't talk right now."
Although the actress faces a possible three-year prison term, prosecutors said
they do not plan to demand jail time at her sentencing hearing Dec. 6. Deputy
District Attorney Ann Rundle said she will ask the judge to place Ryder, who
has no previous criminal record, on probation. Rundle also will ask that Ryder
pay restitution to the department store and undertake community service.
"'We were simply asking for Ms. Ryder to take responsibility for her conduct
and that's what this trial has been about," Rundle said to a herd of reporters
and photographers outside the courthouse.
The vandalism count covered her cutting sensor tags off the merchandise. The
burglary charge on which she was acquitted required proof of an intent to steal
when she entered the store.
Security guards testified during the trial that they did not begin to follow
Ryder on surveillance cameras until after she had already purchased a pair of
shoes at the posh store. Ryder, 31, purchased $3,700 worth of merchandise with
a credit card before leaving with an additional 20 items that she did not pay
for.
Much of the prosecution case centered around a lengthy videotape that showed
Ryder, the star of films "The Age of Innocence" and "Girl, Interrupted,"
walking through the store laden with shopping bags.
Ryder's attorney, Mark Geragos, said later, "I'm disappointed and plan
to file a motion for new trial." He had argued during the trial that his
client was a victim of overzealous security guards who planted evidence and
lied to ensure a conviction.
The jurors, who included Hollywood producer Peter Guber, did not look at Ryder
as they walked in. Afterward, they declined to speak to reporters.
Rundle argued that Ryder shoplifted for the thrill of it and had her own "5
for 1" bonus program, stealing five items for everyone she purchased.
Geragos argued that there was no theft and that his client was simply shopping
at Saks as she frequently did.
While the trial concerned relatively minor charges, it drew reporters from as
far as England and Italy, who packed the courthouse each day and lined up outside
to photograph the film star as she walked inside with an entourage.
Rundle said after the verdict that she believed Ryder was a nice person. "This
was never about her character, only her conduct," she said.
The Los Angeles Times is a Tribune Co. Newspaper