'Virgin' actor convicted of attempted murder

Malil stabbed ex-girlfriend more than 20 times with a kitchen knife.

An actor who appeared in the film "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" was convicted Thursday of the attempted premeditated murder of his ex-girlfriend in a knife attack.

San Diego County jurors also found Shelley Malil guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for stabbing Kendra Beebe more than 20 times during a violent quarrel at her San Marcos home in 2008. He was acquitted of residential burglary.

Beebe, 37, hugged her best childhood friend, who stood beside her at Vista Superior Court, where the judge read the verdict.

"I feel a sense of relief, but I have to be honest there is never a win in a situation like this," Beebe said. "I was afraid because he was an actor that the people might believe his bad theatrics. I am pleased to see the justice system did its job properly."

She said her body is covered in scars but she has been able to return to her favorite sport, surfing.

Malil — who played Haziz, a co-worker of Steve Carell's character in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" — faces 16 years to life in prison. He faced 21 years before being acquitted of residential burglary for entering the woman's home.

Defense attorney Matthew Roberts told jurors in his closing arguments there was no doubt Malil went too far when he picked up the kitchen knife after finding Beebe on her patio with another man, but that Malil never intended to kill Beebe.