"I'm at the angry stage. I'm mad," a tearful Andrews told reporters outside court. "Thirty months isn't enough."
For all you nuts out there, let Michael David Barrett be the example of why, among obvious reasons, you should not stalk and secretly shoot nude photos of quasi-celebrities, or any person for that matter.
On Monday, a federal judge sentenced Mr. Barrett for 2 ½ years for his secretly shooting nude videos of ESPN’s Erin Andrews. It is known that Barrett did this act of voyeurism in at least three cities shooting videos through hotel peepholes. He would cleverly rent hotel rooms next to Andrews and shoot videos while she was nude. After taking care of business, he would upload the videos for sale to the highest bidder. He actually tried to get celebrity trash tv TMZ to purchase the footage.
Andrews’ attorney, Marshall Grossman, believes there are as many as a dozen other women who were secretly videotaped in their birthday suits. Although, federal prosecutors said they would not push for further charges, this doesn’t mean other states cannot file criminal complaints.
Fortunately, the 48 year old Illinois insurance executive received the maximum sentence. Of course his attorney, David Willingham, tried to get the sympathy vote by stating his client, “lost his career, his fiancée and his life savings.” But frankly, for this terrible act, Barrett did not receive a long enough sentence.
Barrett will get everything he deserves while in jail. He only has a few weeks to enjoy his freedom because he must surrender on May 3. As soon as he does, The Matador will post his whereabouts so you can send him some wonderful hate mail while he sleeps in his 8 foot by 8 foot prison cell. In the meantime, Andrews’ travel schedule is under lock-and-key in fear Barrett may want to get one more glimpse behind the lens.
Good riddance Mr. Barnett, I’m sure you made your family proud.
