Juror in Stalker Case Believes Accused to Be Delusional
Recently, deliberations of R&B; singer, Ashanti, and her alleged stalker began in New York City. The man claims that he was just “sex texting” as a joke when he sent more than 30 messages with photos of male genitalia to the singer’s mother. The singer’s manager testified that the mother pulled Ashanti out of a rehearsal after receiving a text indicating that the sender had seen Ashanti’s car arrive at the theater.
The man is being charged with stalking and harassment. One juror said yesterday that the accused “clearly seemed delusional.” The juror was released from the panel last night, but still hopes that the defendant does not receive a conviction and gets the help he needs. The defense claims that it is not a crime to send pictures and text messages and that the accused was misunderstood.
There is often a gray area in stalker cases simply because miscommunication is common in human interactions. Stalking is a broad term that delineates repeated and unwanted contact between two people. Some actions include eavesdropping, spying, and contacting the victim’s family members. Stalkers intentionally intimidate victims to exert power or gain attention. Other charges are commonly attached to stalking such as fraud, violent intent, sex crimes, or, in this case, harassment. Still, an accusation of stalking can be devastating and can affect a person’s normal life.
If you or someone you know has been accused of stalking, contact an experienced New York stalking defense attorney that can help you prevail against stalking accusations. The right defense includes extensive investigation and understanding of the law and your rights.