BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – A judge gave sticky-fingered actress Winona Ryder rave reviews yesterday for finishing court-ordered community service and continuing her therapy.
Ryder carried a large white handbag, wore a long black coat – cinched tightly around her petite waist – a white blouse and sexy 3-inch heels as she appeared before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elden Fox.
Although Fox sealed virtually all of Ryder’s probation report, he told the raven-haired beauty, who wore her hair in a tight pony tail, that she’s doing well in fulfilling court orders.
“I want you to continue what you have been doing. These are positive reports,” Fox told the convicted shoplifter. “I expect the next [probation report] to be the same.”
Fox had sentenced Ryder to three years’ probation and 480 hours of community service, and to undergo counseling, after a Beverly Hills jury convicted her Nov. 6 of swiping $5,600 of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue on Dec. 12, 2001.
The Oscar-nominated actress, who is due back in court for another progress report Oct. 10, was clearly the most popular convicted felon around yesterday, freely smiling and chatting with the courtroom staffers who worked on her trial.
Defense lawyer Mark Geragos said Ryder had not only finished her hours of community service at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., but is continuing volunteer efforts at the famed cancer hospital.
“It’s been an amazing and positive experience for her,” Geragos said, adding that Ryder has “formed lasting relationships with some of these terminally ill children.”
A therapist assigned to Ryder also gave the actress a thumbs-up.
“[Ryder] actively participates, is motivated to improve and is progressing as expected,” probation officers wrote, summarizing Ryder’s meetings with therapist Dr. Heather Krell.