Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe FIFTH POTTER BOOK FINISHED Author J.K. Rowling says she has completed the fifth installment of her phenomenally popular Harry Potter series. Advertisement The news comes just days before the U.S. premiere of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the eagerly awaited film based on Rowling's second Potter book. The World Entertainment News Network says the pregnant writer has revealed the new book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is even longer than the hardcover edition of Potter's fourth adventure -- "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire," which tops out at 37 chapters and 734 pages. Says Rowling: "At the moment it's 38 chapters. I'm really pleased with it. I'm just going to tweak it a tiny bit more, then the publishers will have it." The novel is expected to hit bookstores within five months, while the film opens Nov. 15. ACTOR MERLIN SANTANA DEAD AT 26 Actor Merlin Santana was shot to death in California over the weekend. Police say the 26-year-old New York native, recently seen in the Robert DeNiro/Eddie Murphy cop comedy, "Showtime," was slain as he sat in a parked car in Los Angeles early Saturday morning. Advertisement No arrests have been made and no motive has been determined. TV fans may remember Santana as Stanley, Rudy's pint-sized suitor on "The Cosby Show" in the 1980s and more recently as Romeo Santana on "The Steve Harvey Show." RYDER FILE SNATCHED As if convicted shop-lifter Winona Ryder didn't have enough to worry about... A copy of the 31-year-old actress' "pre-conviction report" was stolen last week from the Los Angeles County Probation Department, says E! Online. The report contains information about Ryder's financial status, medical history and other personal information, much of which was not made public during Ryder's recent shoplifting trial. Police reportedly suspect someone who works in the office stole the report to sell to the tabloids. E! also cites newly released court transcripts that reveal the "Mr. Deeds" actress was suspected of stealing from Barneys in New York and Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills prior to her arrest at Saks Fifth Avenue last December. Ryder was convicted Wednesday of felony grand theft and vandalism in the Saks incident after a jury found her guilty of stealing nearly $6,000 worth of hats, handbags and hair accessories. Advertisement The actress could face up to two years in jail when she is sentenced Dec. 6. The two-time Oscar nominee is more likely, however, to be sentenced to community service and probation and ordered to make restitution to Saks.
