Accused Celebrity Stalker Found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity
The accused celebrity stalker of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Steven Burky pleaded no contest to charges of stalking the celebrity couple and their children. A judge found the 37-year-old man not guilty by reason of insanity and sent him to a state mental hospital, the Associated Press reports.
As previously discussed, Burky was arrested for showing up where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have a daughter enrolled at a nursery school.
He was arrested for allegedly violating a civil restraining order that prevents him from coming within 100 yards of Jennifer Garner.
He was held on $150,000 bail at the Santa Monica Jail, police said.
The "Alias" star said that Burky's bizarre behavior dates back to 2002, and on at least one occasion, he appeared at her house.
In a sworn statement, the actress said she believed Burky's "obsessive, threatening and stalking behavior" posed a threat to her and her family.
Garner, obtained the restraining order against Burky in 2008 after she told the court she believed he posed a threat to her and her family.
After the restraining order was issued, Burky was picked up by cops and was sent for psychiatric observation.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Katherine Mader made her ruling based on reports from two psychiatrists who examined Burky and concluded that he was legally insane.
In addition to Burky being sent away to a state mental health hospital, he was ordered to stay away from Garner, Affleck and their family for 10 years if he is released.
- Wacko accused of stalking Jennifer Garner is found not guilty -- but is sent to mental hospital (New York Daily News)
- Insanity Defense - Criminal Law (FindLaw)
- California Stalking Laws (FindLaw)