Investigator Pleads Guilty in Wayne Assault Case

A Century City private investigator pleaded guilty Monday to his part in an assault on Aissa Wayne, daughter of John Wayne, and her then-boyfriend.

Oded Daniel Gal, 35, entered the plea as jury selection was about to begin in his trial for the Oct. 3, 1988, attack on Wayne and developer Roger Luby at his Newport Beach home. Gal pleaded guilty to four felony counts, conspiracy to commit assault, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of false imprisonment.

Gal faces up to five years and eight months in prison when he is sentenced July 31 by Superior Court Judge William W. Bedsworth.

Gal was hired initially by Wayne’s estranged husband, Dr. Thomas Gionis, to aid the Pomona physician in a child custody battle growing out of the couple’s bitter divorce. Gionis, 38, was convicted May 11 of ordering the attack through Gal. Gionis faces an identical prison term when he is sentenced June 26.

Wayne and Luby were threatened at gunpoint and forced to the floor of Luby’s garage. Wayne’s head was slammed several times onto the concrete and Luby’s Achilles’ tendon was slashed.

Two other men, who actually carried out the attack, have admitted their roles. One, Jerrel Hintergardt, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The other, Jeffrey K. Bouey, awaits trial.