Stalker on a 'mission'
2005-03-03 09:38
Los Angeles - A man accused of stalking Mel Gibson ignored a restraining order and kept trying to talk and pray with the actor-director even after he was arrested, a prosecutor said in her opening statement.
Deputy District Attorney Debra Archuleta told jurors on Wednesday that Zack Sinclair, who is representing himself during the trial, came from Idaho "to do this and nothing will deter him from his mission".
Sinclair, 34, is charged with one felony count of stalking. If convicted, he faces up to 16 months in prison and probation.
Sinclair was arrested in September for investigation of stalking Gibson. He allegedly went to the gate of Gibson's Malibu estate repeatedly that month after evading neighbourhood security and asked to pray with him.
While in custody, Sinclair was served on October 6 with a temporary restraining order that prohibited him from coming near Gibson or his family for three years. He was released the same day.
"Within 24 hours, (Sinclair) makes a beeline right back to Mr Gibson's residence," Archuleta said.
Sinclair was re-arrested on October 7 for allegedly violating the court order to stay away from Gibson and his family.
Sinclair to take passive role
Sinclair saw Gibson's The Passion of the Christ film and was moved by it, his father, Alex Sinclair, said earlier this week.
Sinclair made a brief opening statement to the jury, telling them, "I would just admonish you to vote your conscience."
He told jurors that he would take a "rather passive" role in the trial because the "burden of proof is going to be to heaven".
Gibson will be among the 15 prosecution witnesses scheduled to testify.
In a court filing, Gibson said Sinclair interrupted his worship on September 19 at a chapel and "demanded that I pray with him" before the filmmaker's bodyguard escorted him out.
A chef for Gibson testified on Wednesday that Sinclair was at the gate of Gibson's Malibu home last September and said, "I am here to pray with Mel Gibson."
A sheriff's deputy testified that he was sent to the property the same day and found a "teary-eyed" Sinclair near Gibson's property. Sinclair was upset because people at the home would not confirm if Gibson lived there, said Deputy Mark Winn.
- AP