The Latest: Paltrow's security guard testifies about letters

The Latest: Paltrow's security guard testifies about letters


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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the trial of a man accused of stalking Gwyneth Paltrow (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Gwyneth Paltrow's head of security says details he gave the actress about a letter from a man charged with stalking her clearly distressed her.

Terry Abbott says after revealing the contents of the letter, he stopped giving Paltrow many details about the writings of Dante Soiu (Soy-YOU), who has pleaded not guilty to felony stalking.

Abbott says he believes the letter was one that arrived in 2009 or 2010 but he doesn't remember the precise date. He says after the incident, he told Paltrow when Soiu sent her a letter or package, but didn't give her many details.

He says news of Soiu's writings always concerned the actress.

Soiu's attorney contends her client's 66 messages sent between 2009 and 2015 were non-threatening and focused primarily on religious scripture and his desire to minister to the Oscar winner.

Abbott was the second witness in the trial, which resumes Tuesday at 11 a.m.

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3:00 p.m.

Gwyneth Paltrow has concluded her testimony against a man charged with stalking her.

The actress spent roughly two-and-a-half hours Monday testifying at the stalking trial of Dante Soiu (Soy-YOU), who is accused of sending Paltrow 66 letters in recent years.

Soiu's attorney Lynda Westlund questioned whether Paltrow had read all the letters and knew what was in them. Paltrow conceded that she hadn't read all the letters purportedly sent by Dante Soiu, but she knew generally about them and was concerned about them.

Paltrow testified Monday the letters contained vague threats and religious statements.

Westlund contended Paltrow misinterpreted certain passages of scripture and theology in Soiu's writings.

Soiu has pleaded not guilty to stalking Paltrow. The Oscar-winning actress previously testified that she felt afraid for her safety and her children's safety based on Soiu's letters, which contained statements about marrying her, her death, and religious pronouncements.

Paltrow let out a sigh of relief when she was excused as a witness.

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1:50 p.m.

Gwyneth Paltrow has broken down describing her fears of a man who is on trial for stalking the actress.

Paltrow cried briefly when a prosecutor asked her if she was afraid of Dante Soiu and worried for her children.

The actress had a pained expression on her face for several moments while describing her feelings about Soiu, who sent Paltrow 66 messages professing his love and desire to marry her between 2009 and 2015.

Paltrow previously testified against Soiu in 2000 in a case that ended with him being found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to a mental institution.

The 43-year-old Oscar winner had remained composed throughout most of her testimony, but the question about fears for her children caused Paltrow to break down. She quickly regained her composure and went on to say she was afraid of Soiu, who over the years has sent a variety of messages, ranging from religious to pornographic.

One of his recent packages included clothes he wanted the actress to wear.

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12:10 p.m.

Gwyneth Paltrow has authenticated for a jury 48 letters she's received from a man on trial for stalking her.

The Oscar-winning actress is testifying against Dante Soiu (Soy-YOU), who is currently facing a felony charge for letters he sent her between 2009 and 2015.

Soiu was previously tried for a series of pornographic messages and gifts he sent the actress, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000.

Paltrow has read portions of several of the letters for jurors, with many containing religious messages.

Some have mentioned Soiu's desire to marry Paltrow, cleanse of her sin and death. Paltrow says the letters have been upsetting to her.

A prosecutor says Soiu has sent Paltrow 66 letters and the actress is expected to continue going through for jurors when court resumes after its lunch break.

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11:45 a.m.

Gwyneth Paltrow has taken the stand in the trial of a man accused of stalking her.

The Oscar-winning actress testified Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom about letters that Dante Soiu (Soy-YOU) sent her between 2009 and 2015.

The letters describe Soiu's intention to marry Paltrow and a pair of earrings he sent her in 2009 as a Christmas gift. Several letters contained pornography and statements that Soiu wanted to cleanse Paltrow of sin.

Soiu, who is from Ohio, has pleaded not guilty.

His lawyer says Soiu has simply written to Paltrow and that recent letters haven't included pornography.

Attorney Lynda Westlund says Soiu is a Christian man who is simply trying to minister to the actress.

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11:20 a.m.

Opening statements have begun in the trial of a man accused of stalking Gwyneth Paltrow.

A prosecutor says Dante Soiu (soy-YOO') has stalked Paltrow for 17 years and sent her 66 letters between 2009 and 2015.

Deputy District Attorney Wendy Segall said Monday that Soiu has shattered Paltrow's sense of security.

Soiu was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000 in a previous trial and was sent to a mental institution for several years. He was re-arrested last year after sending Paltrow new correspondence.

Soiu, who is from Ohio, has pleaded not guilty. He shook his head during portions of Segall's opening statement.

His lawyer says Soiu has simply written letters to Paltrow and is a Christian man who is trying to minister to the actress.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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