Zsa Zsa Gabor and a Beverly Hills cop came face-to-face in a courtroom re-enactment of the slap heard around the world in a trial spiced with foul language and accusations of arrogance and impudence.
After opening statements Thursday in Gabor's trial on charges stemming from a routine traffic stop of the glamour queen's Rolls-Royce by a strapping motorcycle officer, the two re-enacted the scene."I'm afraid of him," the 5-foot, 5-inch Gabor said as she approached 6-foot-4 officer Paul Kramer, who had been asked to put on the helmet and dark glasses he wore on the day in question.
Defense attorney William Graysen instructed Kramer to place Gabor's hand on his mustachioed face where she had slapped him. That done, she returned to the defense table, sighing with relief.
Kramer, the trial's first witness, said Gabor tried to run him down, cursed him, spat at him and slapped him - all over the minor traffic infraction of driving with expired license tags.
Characterizing Gabor as "a major problem," Kramer, a 13-year veteran, said: "It's ridiculous that this has gone to the extent that it has."
Gabor, 66, is charged with battery on a police officer, disobeying a police officer, driving with an expired license and having an open flask of bourbon in her car.
Deputy District Attorney Elden Fox painted an unflattering portrait of Gabor in his opening statement.
"This is a case of arrogance, impudence, insolence, disrespect and disregard for the law by the defendant after a routine traffic stop," Fox said.
Gabor threw up her hands in exasperation over the characterization. At one point Fox complained she was making faces at him, and Municipal Judge Charles Rubin told her to tone down her expressions.
When his turn came, Graysen agreed with the prosecutor's assessment - up to a point.
"Yes," he said, "this is a case of arrogance and insolence, but it's of officer Kramer and his overreaction, excessive force and abuse" in arresting Gabor June 14.
"Ms. Gabor used reasonable force (in slapping the officer), which she had every right to do," Graysen told the jury.
Graysen said Kramer had told Gabor, "`I don't care if I break your f--- arms. And, I hope you do have a f--- heart attack" after Gabor complained of a health condition.
Kramer admitted he used profanity, but he said he did so only after Gabor continued to struggle as he handcuffed her.