Gwyneth Paltrow testifies against stalker

Soiu accused of sending gifts and messages to actress over 17 years

GWYNETH PALTROW TESTIFIED on Monday in the trial of a man accused of stalking her, saying he wrote upsetting letters discussing her death and his intention to marry her and also sent her pornography and unsolicited gifts.
Dante Soiu is accused of stalking the Oscar-winning actress for 17 years, but the case focuses on the most recent batch of 66 messages he's sent her between 2009 and 2015.
The actress broke down briefly during her roughly two-and-a-half hours on the stand after a prosecutor asked Paltrow about whether she feared for her children's safety as a result of Soiu's missives.
"Yes," Paltrow responded tearfully.
"I'm scared because the communications completely defy logic," she said. "I've been dealing with his for 17 years with the communications from this man."
Soiu's attorney said he has simply written letters to Paltrow. Attorney Lynda Westlund said Soiu is a Christian man who is just trying to minister to the actress.
Soiu was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000 in a previous trial involving messages he sent to Paltrow, which included pornography and adult toys. He was sent to a mental institution for several years, but re-arrested last year after sending the actress new correspondence.
The recent batch of letters described Soiu's intention to marry Paltrow and also a pair of earrings he sent her in 2009 as a Christmas gift. He has also sent her religious books, and forwarded her letters he has sent to President Barack Obama and actress Angelina Jolie.
One letter described Paltrow "bowing to death." The actress said the reference was disturbing.
In another, Soiu is accused of writing, "I have a goal: to marry Gwyneth Paltrow and take care of her."
"I felt very upset by it," Paltrow said.
"This has been a very long and very traumatic experience already," Paltrow said.