SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Actor Shelley Malil, who starred in the box-office smash "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," pleaded not guilty yesterday after being arrested Monday on suspicion of stabbing his former girlfriend more than 20 times.
The 43-year-old Malil has been charged with one count of attempted murder, with enhancements of premediation, use of a knife and causing great bodily injury. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
The actor is currently being held on $10 million bond after Superior Court Judge Marshall Hockett deemed him a potential flight risk. A preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 30.
Malil is accused of appearing on Kendra Beebe's patio in San Marcos, Calif. on Sunday night, at which time he allegedly started to stab her multiple times without saying a word.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, an unknown male visitor was able to disarm Malil and call 911, but the film star grabbed a second knife and continued the stabbing on the first floor as he chased her around the home, in which Beebe's two children were upstairs at the time.
The assault ended when a neighbor intervened in the front yard of the home, the UT says.
"He did not stop his murderous acts voluntarily but because of the heroic acts of the neighbor," Prosecutor Steven Carver told the Associated Press.
The 35-year-old Beebe is expected to survive, but remains hospitalized. The couple had recently broken up, authorities said.
After being persuaded by friends and family, Malil turned himself into authorities Monday evening by taking a southbound Amtrak train from Los Angeles to nearby Oceanside. He was planning to meet his attorney when he arrived, but authorities stepped in to arrest him prior to that.
In addition to the 2005 comedy, which starred Steve Carell, Malil has appeared in such films as "My Favorite Martian" and "Collateral Damage," in addition to television roles on "ER," "Seinfeld," "The West Wing" and "NYPD Blue."
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