Man charged in alleged attack on actress Pauley Perrette

LOS ANGELES --A man described by Los Angeles prosecutors as "transient" was charged today with attacking and threatening to kill actress Pauley Perrette on Nov. 12.

David Merck, 45, allegedly punched and threatened to kill the actress, who stars on the TV show "NCIS," before running away.

Perrette detailed the alleged attack on Twitter.

"On my street, I was jumped by a very psychotic homeless man," Perrette wrote. "He grabbed me so forcefully, pinned my arm and punched me in the nose and forehead. He [kept] repeatedly telling me he was going to kill me. Then he showed me how he was going to kill me."

Perrette said her attacker repeatedly referred to himself as "William," even yelling: "Don't forget that!"

Prosecutors have not said if they believe Merck suffers from mental illness, or why he might refer to himself as "William."

If convicted, Merck faces up to four years in state prison.

In:
• NCIS