Zeta-Jones Stalking Case Ends in Plea
A woman pleaded no contest Friday to stalking and threatening Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones as prosecutors dropped 21 other charges in the case.
The plea deal in Los Angeles County Superior Court means Dawnette R. Knight, 33, faces a maximum of five years in prison instead of 19 years.
“This was a fair and reasonable disposition,” Deputy Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Debra Archuleta said. “The victim is satisfied with the agreement.”
During preliminary hearings, prosecutors said Knight was infatuated with Zeta-Jones’ husband, actor Michael Douglas.
In court July 28, Zeta-Jones read excerpts from 26 letters that described plans to kill or mutilate her.
The letters contained intimate knowledge of the couple’s homes and travels but weren’t addressed to Zeta-Jones or her husband. Instead, they had been sent to her father-in-law, actor Kirk Douglas, and her agent, Bryan Lourd, among others.
Knight will undergo a 90-day evaluation by the state Department of Corrections to determine whether she will be sentenced to probation or prison.
A sentencing hearing date will be set June 3.
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