Psychiatrist: Paris is ‘distraught, traumatized’

Hilton’s doctor says heiress can’t effectively testify in civil suit against her

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updated 3:38 p.m. ET May 15, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Paris Hilton is “emotionally distraught and traumatized” over her 45-day jail sentence and isn’t capable of testifying in a civil lawsuit against her, the socialite-reality TV star’s psychiatrist said.

Dr. Charles Sophy has been seeing Hilton, 26, for the past eight months and has talked with her several times since her May 4 hearing for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case, according to court papers.

Sophy said Hilton needs time to recover from the shock of receiving jail time before testifying in a civil case brought against her by actress and diamond heiress Zeta Graff.

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Messages left with Hilton’s spokesman and lawyer weren’t immediately returned early Tuesday.

In court papers filed Monday, Sophy said Hilton is “distraught and traumatized as a consequence of the findings at the May 4 hearing ... and her fear of incarceration.”

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“At this point in time,” he continued, “Ms. Hilton cannot effectively respond to examination as a witness or provide any significant input into her defense.”

Graff filed a $10 million lawsuit against Hilton in 2005, claiming the reality TV star spread “vicious lies” about her. Hilton has denied that she was behind a report alleging Graff once tried to grab a necklace worth $4 million from her throat.

Superior Court Judge Linda K. Lefkowitz postponed the trial to August. It had been scheduled to begin this month.

Hilton and her pal Nicole Richie star on “The Simple Life,” which throws them into everyday situations. After famously feuding and filming their parts separately last season, the celebutantes have reunited as camp counselors for the show’s upcoming fifth installment.

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