Man Found Guilty in Attack on John Wayne’s Daughter

Jerrel Lee Hintergardt was found guilty Monday on eight felony counts in an attack on Aissa Wayne, daughter of the late actor John Wayne, and her former boyfriend in Newport Beach 19 months ago.

Hintergardt, 38, of Burbank, surprised law enforcement officials, and even his own lawyer, when he admitted on the witness stand in Santa Ana last week that he and another gunman approached Wayne and financier Roger W. Luby in the garage of Luby’s estate on Oct. 3, 1988, and assaulted them.

Prosecutors will now concentrate on trying to convict Dr. Thomas Gionis, Wayne’s former husband, who is scheduled to go on trial next month. Prosecutors claim Gionis ordered the attack on the couple through a private investigator who hired Hintergardt and a second man, Jeffrey K. Bouey.

Gionis has denied any involvement in the attack.

Hintergardt admitted that he slashed Luby’s right Achilles’ tendon with a knife and handcuffed both victims on the garage floor. But he blamed Wayne’s facial injuries on Bouey, who was the other assailant.

During his testimony last week, Bouey, who is cooperating with authorities, supported Wayne’s contention that it was Hintergardt who assaulted her.

Superior Court Judge John J. Ryan set Hintergardt’s sentencing for June 8. He could face as much as 12 years in prison.

Hintergardt’s attorney told jurors he would prove Hintergardt was at Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles the morning Wayne and Luby were attacked. But Hintergardt declared just before court began that he was responsible for the assault.