Paris Hilton has thrown her support behind an online petition asking California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon her before she reports to custody next month. The socialite posted a message on her MySpace page Tuesday urging fans to sign the petition, which was organized by a supporter named Joshua.
The petition argues that authorities singled out Hilton to make an example of impaired driving dangers, and calls on the governor to intervene. It concedes she should not have driven while impaired but contends that a jail sentence is disproportionate.
Hilton faces 45 days at the Los Angeles Century Regional Detention Facility, with a reporting deadline of 5 June. Failing to appear could double her sentence. A court imposed the term after finding she had driven twice on a suspended license while on probation, in violation of an earlier drunk-driving conviction.
Separately, her publicist Elliot Mintz said Tuesday he would remain on her team, reversing a statement from the previous day announcing his departure. The two met and "decided to continue our working relationship," Mintz said. Hilton had testified at her hearing that Mintz incorrectly told her she was allowed to drive despite the license suspension.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2007, in its own words.