Evel Knievel's Latest Challenge: Hurdling Weapons Charge, Civil Suit

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - For former motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, legal troubles are lined up like buses in some stunt jump of yesteryear. He pleaded not guilty yesterday in municipal court to being a felon in possession of guns.

Then a process server handed him papers summoning him to court with his financial records for questioning about his assets. Los Angeles lawyer Steve Weinberger is trying to collect $23 million he says is owed a man Knievel beat with a baseball bat.

"I'm going to take away his fancy car for starters," Weinberger said.

Both the weapons charge and civil action stem from a conviction for the 1977 beating of former TV executive Sheldon Saltman, who angered Knievel with comments about him in a book. Knievel served six months in jail.

Saltman in 1981 was awarded $2.75 million in general damages and $10 million in punitive damages. In an affidavit filed with the court, Weinberger said none of the judgment has been paid and, with interest, the amount owed now exceeds $23 million.

Last week, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Margo Smith decided not to file charges against Knievel after his arrest Oct. 10 on suspicion of battering his girlfriend.

But the guns came to light when police searched his car after the arrest - and the weapons charge followed.

Knievel is free on $10,500 bail. If convicted, he could be sentenced to three years in prison and fined $10,000.

Knievel, 56, of Las Vegas, appeared in court yesterday in his stuntman persona, wearing a red-and-blue star-spangled shirt and accompanied by girlfriend Krystal Kennedy, 25. Both have admitted they argued and had a "tussle" on the night of his arrest, but they have denied violence and said they love each other.