Zeta-Jones stalker 'kept autographed book'
The woman accused of stalking and threatening to kill Catherine Zeta-Jones kept a book autographed by the Oscar-winning actress and her husband Michael Douglas, a Los Angeles court heard.
Dawnette Knight, 33, was also found to have a letter written to Douglas, calling him the “sexiest man alive”, the judge was told.
Knight, who has admitted being obsessed with Douglas, is accused of stalking and 24 counts of making criminal threats against Wales-born Zeta-Jones.
Knight is accused of sending letters threatening to kill the star and “feed her to the dogs”.
A sheriff’s detective described in evidence yesterday how he found the autographed book and the letter.
Detective Dana Duncan was part of the team of officers who served a warrant on Knight’s Beverly Hills apartment where 28 items were seized.
Among them, Detective Dana said, were mobile phone bills, the letter to Douglas, and a copy of My Stroke of Luck, written by Douglas’ father, the film legend Kirk Douglas.
Outside court, Knight’s fiance, Ronald Calvin, said Knight meant Zeta-Jones and Douglas no harm.
“She’s a fan. Movie stars have fans,” he said.
Knight was ruled fit to stand trial on Wednesday. The current pre-trial hearing was adjourned in July when she took an overdose, hours after Zeta-Jones and Douglas gave evidence against her.
The continuing preliminary hearing will decide if she goes before a jury.
Unemployed Knight, who is in custody, was arrested on June 3 at her home. If convicted, she could face up to 19 years in prison.
A day before Knight overdosed on barbiturates Chicago star Zeta-Jones appeared before the court to tell of Knight’s alleged reign of terror.
She said she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown as a result of the “satanic” threats.
“I’ve never in my life had anything or had anyone say anything to me so satanic,” said Zeta-Jones, 34. “This will affect me for the rest of my life.”
