Final Update: Erin Andrews' Stalker is Sentenced
A Los Angeles courtroom saw the last chapter today in the Erin Andrews stalker case. As has been widely covered, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was spied on and video-taped by her stalker, Michael Barrett, who pled guilty to the charge of federal stalking in December, 2009. Andrews, who called Barrett a "sexual predator," was present in court for the sentencing and argued for the longest sentence available under the law.
According to NBC Sports, Michael Barrett, a Chicago resident, received a 2 1/2 year sentence. He must surrender to authorities and begin serving his time on May 3.
The criminal complaint against Barrett specifically charged him with "the intent to harass, to place under surveillance with intent to harass and intimidate, and to cause substantial emotional distress to a person in another state." As has been well documented up to this point, Barrett shot video of Andrews through specially rigged peepholes in hotels in at least three states and uploaded the video onto the web in July of 2009.
According to the ABC report, in a sentencing memo filed last month, Andrews said she wants Barrett to pay about $335,000 in restitution. The judge ordered Barrett to pay for Andrews' out of pocket costs in an amount to be determined at later date. Barrett, an Illinois insurance executive, does not have a history of sexual offenses or serious crimes, other than charges of driving under the influence in 1988.
A report from TheWrap.com says that Barrett was "profoundly sorry" and apologized to Andrews in the courtroom. When reporters asked if she had accepted the statement from Barrett, Andrews replied: "Would you?" She added: "His apology didn't take the video down from the Internet."
Related Resources:
- Erin Andrews' Peeping Tom Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison (ABC News)
- Breaking: Erin Andrews' Peephole Perp Gets 30 Months (TheWrap.com)
- 3.4 Million Stalker Victims in a Year: DOJ Report Shows Gravity of Stalking in the US (FindLaw's Common Law)
- Erin Andrews Peephole Charges & Interstate Stalking (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Erin Andrews' Accused Stalker's Criminal Charges (FindLaw's Courtside)
- State Stalking Laws (FindLaw)
- Stalking Laws in New Jersey (provided by Iler Law Firm)