Pauley Perrette faces alleged attacker in court

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Pauley Perrette faced her alleged attacker in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old actress identified David Merck, a 45-year-old transient man, as the assailant who assaulted and threatened to kill her Nov. 12 in Hollywood.

"He was so much stronger than me," Perrette recalled, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. "I couldn't run. I couldn't fight ... I was praying my heart out."

The NCIS star revealed she was attacked in a lengthy Twitter post the day after the assault, claiming Merck repeatedly punched her in the face before letting her go. The suspect was apprehended by police shortly after and jailed in lieu of bail.

"I'm ok. Not great," she wrote in an update Nov. 28. "Flashbacks, nightmares. Trauma is a strange thing. Almost being killed, tough... It comes harder after the shock wears off, then you're left with reality. I'm grateful to be alive. I hate my fear. But am afraid."

Merck is charged with false imprisonment by violence and making a criminal threat, and was denied a request to reduce the felony charges to misdemeanors. The 45-year-old will return to court for arraignment Dec. 16.

Perrette is best known for playing Abby Sciuto on CBS drama NCIS, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. She champions several causes, including animal rescue and LGBT rights, and works with the homeless in several areas around the U.S.