Paris Hilton was in jail, then out, then back again as the bizarre case became more erratic than the driving that landed the hotel heiress in hot water. On Saturday she was still behind bars, a long way from the red carpet she strolled down a week ago at the MTV Movie Awards, and the subject of endless Internet chatter and questions about her fate.
To help sort it all out, or as much as possible, here are some answers to those questions:
Q: Where is Paris now?
A: Hilton is in the medical ward at Twin Towers, an L.A. County jail facility. She is in a room by herself with a glass door. For her protection, a sergeant guards the door at all times.
Q: Why did the sheriff release Paris in the first place?
A: L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca claims that her release was based on “severe medical problems.” While he wouldn’t reveal the exact nature of her condition because of confidentiality issues, he characterized her problems as “psychological.” He now says lack of jail space played a major role in his decision. In a statement to the press, Baca said, “There’s 20,000 inmates — the largest jail system in the United States … It’s very overcrowded.”
A little background check on Paris’ would-be savior Lee Baca shows:
- that he happens to be a huge supporter not only of Paris, but of Scientology!
- he was also very helpful (attempted cover-up?) to Mel Gibson when he had his legal and social problems
- He is a friend of the Hilton family. Paris’ grandfather gave him the maximum amount of campaign contribution, $1,000, last year.
Q: Will the sheriff free her early again?
A: After all the criticism he’s received, he’d have to be the dumbest man alive to pull a move like that.
For now, he says he will comply with the court order and keep her behind bars — “If there’s any further deterioration, hopefully we’ll be able to address it.”
Q: But will she serve all 45 days?
A: Probably not. Hilton will serve about 18 days, Baca said Friday. State law requires that inmates get time off their sentences for each day they serve. Hilton was expected to serve 23 days of her 45-day sentence. Hilton was credited with both her time served in jail and at home, so by Saturday she had completed seven days of her sentence.
Q: Can Hilton appeal?
A: Hilton’s spokesman said he expected an appeal to be filed by Monday, but Hilton told her attorney on Saturday that she decided not to pursue the matter.
Q: What is Paris’ condition now?
A: According to several insiders, Paris isn’t doing well and hasn’t eaten since her arrest. She’s been described as as “fragile” “withdrawn” and “sullen.” She spends her time crying and praying. She is currently on medication and sees her shrink often.
