California

Emile Hirsch Due Back in Court on Assault Charges

Actor Emile Hirsch is due back in a Utah court Monday on accusations he put a studio executive in a chokehold at a nightclub during the Sundance Film Festival.

The "Into the Wild" star was charged with felony aggravated assault and intoxication after the incident Jan. 25 at Tao Nightclub in Park City. A judge set the afternoon preliminary hearing so prosecutors could lay out their evidence against Hirsch or for the two sides to present a plea deal if one has been reached.

Daniele Bernfeld, an executive for the Paramount Pictures subsidiary Insurge Pictures, said she was attacked and described it as being "insanely painful and absolutely terrifying," according to public records obtained by The Associated Press. Bernfeld told police that Hirsch put her in a chokehold from behind, dragged her across a table and body slammed her to the floor, records show.

Hirsch was slurring his words and struggled to balance, the reports show, and said he had three or four drinks. He told police he couldn't remember exactly what happened but acknowledged "mouthing off" a bit with Bernfeld and then defending himself when she came at him.

The 30-year-old actor from Encino, California, has made two court appearances in Park City but has not entered a plea or made any comments outside court. His attorneys have said that Hirsch entered rehab within days of the incident.

Hirsch was at Sundance for the premiere of the drama "Ten Thousand Saints." He is best known for his starring role in "Into the Wild" and has also appeared in Universal's Navy SEAL drama "Lone Survivor," Peter Berg's account of a disastrous 2005 military operation in Afghanistan.

The felony assault charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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