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Winona Ryder Found Guilty Of Felonies

Actress Not Guilty Of Felony Burglary

POSTED: 1:50 p.m. EST November 6, 2002
UPDATED: 3:53 p.m. EST November 6, 2002

A Beverly Hills, Calif., jury has found actress Winona Ryder not guilty Wednesday of felony burglary charges, but guilty on felony grand theft and vandalism charges.

Winona Ryder listens to the verdictThe actress was charged with grand theft, burglary and vandalism for stealing more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue store last December.
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Did the jury in the Winona Ryder shoplifting trial make the right decision?
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The burglary charge was the most serious of the three charges. She was acquitted on that charge because it required a specific intent by Ryder to go into Saks Fifth Avenue to deprive the store of property.

District attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said jurors often believe burglary is a crime of breaking and entering, but it does not require those circumstances.

"We're gratified with the verdicts," Gibbons said.

If she were found guilty on all three charges, she could have spent up to three years in prison. But since she was convicted of the two lesser charges, the sentence could be as as little as probation time.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 6.

The 31-year-old actress was calm and showed no emotion as the verdict was read. She kept her eyes trained on the jurors as they were asked whether the verdicts were accurate. They said yes.

Ryder's bond remains in effect and will not be held in jail while waiting for sentencing. Judge Eldon Fox said Ryder is not considered a flight risk.

Fox sealed all personal information about the jurors. He told them they're prohibited for 90 days from selling their stories.

"I don't want any reactions in the audience," Fox said before the verdict was read. "I do not want any yelling, and I don't want any comments made out loud. I will hold you in contempt if you do that."

Fox allowed the verdict to be televised, which was the first time cameras were allowed into trial proceedings.

While entering the courthouse for the preliminary hearing in the case on June 3, Ryder was struck by a camera in the media crush and suffered a broken arm.

Ryder has been nominated for Oscars in "The Age of Innocence" and "Little Women." She has also starred in such films as "Alien: Resurrection," "Edward Scissorhands," "Girl, Interrupted" and most recently, "Mr. Deeds."

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