Actor Emile Hirch has been sentenced to 15 days in jail, a $4,750 fine and 50 hours of community service.
The Into the Wild star plead guilty to a misdemeanour assault charge after he placed Daniele Bernfeld in a chokehold on January 25th.
Ms. Bernfeld is a studio executive at Paramount.
Hirsch attacked Ms. Bernfeld at a Sundance party. Reports state that the actor was visibly intoxicated and asked the exec “why she looked ‘so tough'”. He is said to have added that Ms. Bernfeld was “a ‘rich kid’ who should not be at Sundance”.
A statement from the victim which was read in court called for a stricter punishment than that handed down. Speaking previously, Ms. Bernfeld said that the attack was “insanely painful and absolutely terrifying” and that she was in fear for her life.
Emile Hirsch is taken in to custody after appearing in court August 17, 2015, in Park City, Utah.
Hirsh, who also starred in Lone Survivor and Milk, initially claimed he had no memory of the assault and opted to check into rehab for two weeks after his arrest.
TMZ reports:
Bernfeld told police she moved away from Hirsch to go sit with a friend at a table – and moments later, Hirsch came up from behind her and “put her in a chokehold.”
Then, Bernfeld claims Hirsch “pulled her across the table and onto the floor” and landed on top of her.
While on top, he allegedly wrapped his hands around her neck and began to choke her. She said she felt as though “the front and back of her throat were touching and she remembers things going dark.”
Bernfeld says 2 bystanders eventually pulled Hirsch off of her.
The actor faced a sentence of up to five years, but will now only serve 15 days.
