Court to hear Ryder prosecution case

Prosecutors were today expected to outline their case against Hollywood actress Winona Ryder at her shoplifting trial in Beverly Hills.

A jury of six men and six women were hearing details of how Ryder, 30, allegedly stole thousands of pounds worth of designer merchandise from exclusive store Saks Fifth Avenue.

Beverly Hills Superior Court judge Elden Fox has banned the jurors from shopping at the department store during the trial.

‘‘I am sure Saks won’t appreciate that, but it’s only five to seven days,’’ he told the court on Friday, when jury selection was completed.

Judge Fox also barred members of the jury from reading any newspaper reports or watching any television shows relating to the high-profile case.

Ryder, wearing a white dress and a long blue coat, took notes on a legal pad on Friday as she sat through the three-hour jury selection proceedings.

Her trial is expected to last between five and seven days with the prosecution due to call up to 10 witnesses.

The prosecution witnesses are made up of Saks employees store and officers from the Beverly Hill Police Department.

Among them will be Colleen Rainey, a security officer at the store, who told a preliminary hearing that she saw Ryder crouching on the floor of a fitting room and snipping sensor tags off goods before stuffing them into her bag.

It is not known whether the movie star will take the witness stand in her own defence.

Ryder, who has appeared in various films including Mr Deeds, Little Women and Girl Interrupted, faces trial on felony charges of grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism stemming from her arrest just before Christmas last year.

She is accused of stealing nearly €6,350 worth of designer merchandise including hats, bags and socks from Saks.

The two-time Oscar nominee denies all the charges against her and is free on around €20,000 bail.

She could face up to three years in prison if convicted.