Halle Berry Creeper Cops to Stalking, Gets More Jail Time and 10-Year Berry Ban

Richard Franco was sentenced to 386 days behind bars and five years' probation

By Natalie Finn Jan 19, 2012 8:43 PMTags
Halle BerryTonya Wise/Sipa Press

May Halle Berry get a good night's rest.

After already spending roughly six months in jail while awaiting trial on charges of stalking the Oscar winner, Richard Franco pleaded no contest today to one count of stalking and was sentenced to 386 days behind bars.

So, how much time will Franco actually spend locked up?

The troubled Berry fan will get credit for the 193 days he's already served, so he's got another 193 coming and must complete a year's worth of in-house psychological counseling.

Franco, who originally pleaded not guilty to stalking and attempted burglary in October, was also sentenced to five years' felony probation and he cannot try to contact or go within 200 yards of Berry, who was not in court today, or her daughter Nahla for 10 years.

The plea deal spares Berry from having to appear at a trial to testify against the man she said made her fear for the safety of her and her child.

Today in court, Franco's attorney argued that his client, who was locked up following his third attempt in three days at getting onto her L.A. property,  wasn't a credible threat to the Monster's Ball star.

"I'm not saying Ms. Berry wasn't afraid," lawyer Marcus Huntley said, "but Mr. Franco is not charged with scaring Ms. Berry."

L.A. Superior Court Judge Dennis Landin begged to differ.

—Reporting by Baker Machado