David Merck, a homeless man who is accused of attacking and threatening to kill NCIS actress Pauley Perrette, has pleaded not guilty.
David Merck, 45, was charged on November 16 with false imprisonment by violence and making a criminal threat.
The man could face up to four years in prison if convicted.
Payley Perrette, who plays lab technician Abby Sciuto in NCIS – was attacked outside her Hollywood home on November 12, telling Twitter followers she thought she was going to die.
In a lengthy post, Pauley Perrette said she was hit in the face several times and described her assailant as “psychotic”, adding: “I am shaken and traumatized… I almost died tonight.”
Pauley Perrette, 46, said her attacker “headed towards Hollywood Blvd, with murder in his eyes”.
Her friend tracked down and followed the man until police arrived.
LAPD officer Jane Kim confirmed Pauley Perrette’s account of the assault was accurate.
Pauley Perrette has been with the cast of NCIS since it began in 2003.
