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 she watched 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, scheduled for 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 will also 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 throng of reporters and cameramen outside the Beverly Hills courthouse.
Rundle said the burglary charge required prosecutors to prove that Ryder had the intent to steal when she entered the posh department store on Dec. 12. Rundle argued to jurors that Ryder came equipped with scissors to cut off sensor tags and a garment bag to conceal merchandise.
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 store.
Ryder purchased $3,700 worth of merchandise with a credit card before leaving with an additional 20 items for which she did not pay. Much of the prosecution case centered around a lengthy videotape that showed Ryder, star of the 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 a new trial."
Geragos argued during the trial that his client was a victim of overzealous security guards who planted evidence and lied to ensure a conviction.
Judge Elden S. Fox allowed Ryder, 31, to remain free on $20,000 bail until sentencing, saying she is not a flight risk.
The six men and six women of the jury deliberated for 5 1/2 hours over two days before reaching a decision. Afterward the jurors, who included Hollywood producer Peter Guber, declined to speak to reporters.
Anna Gorman and Cara Mia DiMassa write for the Los Angeles Times, a Tribune Publishing newspaper