Gwyneth Paltrow testifies in stalking trial

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Oscar-wining actress Gwyneth Paltrow came face to face with her alleged stalker, 67-year-old Dante Michael Soiu, on Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Paltrow testified for about three hours, often reaching for tissues to wipe away tears and she breathed a huge sigh at the end of her testimony.

The alleged stalking has been going on for the past 17-years, but the trial focuses on dozens of letters Soiu wrote her from 2009 through 2014.

Paltrow, who looked very plain wearing a white turtleneck, black pants and minimal makeup, read aloud from those letters which she described as religious, threatening and sometimes pornographic.

"I have a goal to marry Gwyneth Paltrow," she read from one excerpt.

"I will always love you and help you - be my wife," she recited.

Paltrow never made eye contact with Soiu during her testimony.

He was caught shaking his head several times in disagreement with her statements.

In total, Paltrow said she received 66 love letters, a cookbook, a box of women's clothing and other items from Soiu over the past six years.

Defense attorney Lynda Westlund told Paltrow she misinterpreted those letters, which she said were biblical references.

Westlund also noted that Paltrow never read each letter in its entirety, instead her bodyguard and parents told her about them.

Paltrow said Soiu had showed up at her parent's Santa Monica home reaching for something in his bag that her mother believed was a weapon.

It was later learned that Soiu had vitamins in his possession that he wanted to offer Paltrow's father.
Nevertheless, the actress told jurors she was so panicked that she increased security and purchased a guard dog for her property.

Soiu has pleaded not guilty in this case.

Back in 2000, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity during another trial with Paltrow.

The actress is finished testifying in the case, but the trial will resume Tuesday morning.

Paltrow is done testifying, but the trial will continue Tuesday.