ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews confronted her stalker for the first time in Los Angeles federal court last Tuesday, and hopes the Illinois insurance executive will be given the maximum sentence for his crime.
Michael Barrett, 48, pleaded guilty to one felony count of stalking, and was convicted of the crime on Tuesday. Barrett admitted in court that in 2008, he followed Andrews to hotels in three different cities, installed cameras in her hotel room through peepholes, and posted nude videos of her online.
“I don’t know him. I’ve never met him. I don’t know why he chose me. But I hope he never sees the light of day again,” Andrews said in the Los Angeles federal court, according to New York Daily News.
Barrett can go to prison for up to five years, but because Barrett entered a plea agreement with prosecutors, Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys are saying that it’s unlikely Barrett will be in prison for longer than 27 months. Barrett may also be fined up to $250,000, and there will be a protective order in place, so that Barrett would have to stay away from Andrews and her family for three years.
Legal analysts in the media, like Lisa Bloom in the video above, are saying that her stalker’s sentence will likely be a “mixed bag” for Andrews. While the man has been convicted, it’s unlikely he’ll be receiving the maximum sentence, which is what the sportscaster wants.
Barrett is due back in court for his sentencing on February 22.
- Erin Andrews Wants Michael Barrett to ‘Never See the Light of Day’ (Chicago Sun Times)
- More Information on Stalking Laws (FindLaw)
- Erin Andrews’ Accused Stalker’s Criminal Charges (FindLaw Courtside Blog)
- Stalking, the Crime (FindLaw)
- State Stalking Laws (FindLaw)
