Actor Emile Hirsch has been charged with felony assault, accused of going after a female Hollywood executive at a party at the recent Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
As first reported by TMZ, local police responded to an early morning call at the Tao nightclub in the ski resort around 4 a.m. on Jan. 25.
According to the police report, “Hirsch appeared intoxicated and asked [Paramount Pictures film executive] Daniele Bernfeld why she looked ‘so tough’ and said she was a ‘rich kid’ who should not be at Sundance.”
Bernfeld told police that she moved away from Hirsch to go sit with a friend at a table. Moments later, Hirsch came up from behind her and allegedly “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.”
Apparently, two bystanders eventually were able to pull the actor off of Bernfeld.
After the police officers arrived, they discovered Hirsch was in a “verbal confrontation” with Bernfeld and admitted to having three or four drinks that night. The police report indicated Hirsch appeared intoxicated, with glassy eyes, slurred speech, poor balance, etc.
Bernfeld’s neck and upper chest indicated redness, which appeared to corroborate her story.
Hirsch was ultimately charged with third-degree felony aggravated assault, punishable by up to five years in prison. He was also charged with misdemeanor intoxication.
Hirsch is due in court March 16.
