Victor Paleologus, the convicted murderer of 23-year-old actor Kristine Johnson, delivered an eleven-page letter claiming his innocence during sentencing on Sept. 15, reported CourtTV.com. Paleologus and his lawyer, Andrew Flier, changed his plea to "guilty" during his trial July 26 after numerous female actors testified that he had lured them to remote locations with promises of stardom in a James Bond film. Johnson's body was found bound and strangled in the Hollywood Hills on Mar. 3, 2003.
Paleologus, who was convicted of attempted rape in 1998, delivered the handwritten letter to the judge in an attempt to revoke his guilty plea, citing, "Misrepresentation of Facts; Spurious Guidance by Counsel; Due Process Violations; Sophism; Surreptitious and Piquant Incentives by Counsel to Capitulate; Bereft of Appropriate Advice to Guard My Best Interests," as his reasons. Judge Robert Perry denied the motion, keeping the plea bargain in tact, which enabled Paleologus to be eligible for parole in 2031 and to avoid the death penalty. The plea bargain also did not require Paleologus to give any details about Johnson's murder.
Johnson's parents, Terry Hall and Kirk Johnson, testified at the sentencing that they still feel haunted by their daughter's murder and the fact that they will never know whether their daughter fought back or the extent to which she suffered. Johnson, who showed a Father's Day card at the hearing, said of Paleologus, "I wish him a short life."
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said Paleologus' attempt to change his plea was no surprise. "He's a con man. He's a manipulator. He's a murderer. That's what he is," said Walgren.
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