Tyra Banks Testifies Against Stalker

[sethii]

US model-turned-TV presenter Tyra Banks has told a judge in New York she fears for her safety after allegedly being stalked by a fan.

Brady Green is accused of repeatedly calling her TV studio, sending her flowers and threatening her assistant.

He was arrested near the studio in Chelsea in March 2008 and told police he and Banks "had a thing together".

Lawyers for Green, 39, who has pleaded guilty to stalking and harassment charges, say he is a harmless fan.

Prosecutors say Green, from Dublin, Georgia, threatened to slit the throat of Banks's assistant and sent flowers with the note, "when I see you, I love you".

Safety 'fear'

Green was arrested on 18 March after allegedly appearing twice at the studio where Banks, 35, was filming daytime talk programme, The Tyra Banks Show.

Banks - who also presents America's Next Top Model - told the Manhattan Criminal Court that, on that day, studio staff had warned her about Green, saying he was "somebody I should watch out for".

She said she became scared when police officers turned up at the studios.

"I didn't know what to do," she said.

"How do I live my life when I leave this building?

"I had never experienced anything like this before."

Banks said security around her had "changed significantly" because of Green and that she was now followed everywhere by bodyguards.

"I don't fear for my life," Banks said. "I fear for my safety, I fear for the safety of my staff and for my family.

"And I fear for the safety of people in my vicinity."

Green told the judge he felt moved to contact Banks after seeing her shows about homelessness and racism.

His attempts to get tickets for her show had been misunderstood, he added.

He said he had not threatened Banks and had never intended to scare her.

Under cross-examination, he admitted he went on a four-day bus journey from Los Angeles to New York, where he did not know anybody.

The first thing he did upon arrival was go to Banks's TV studio, he admitted.
Closing arguments were due to be heard on Thursday.

The case will be decided by Judge James Burke who is hearing the case without a jury.

If convicted, Mr Green faces up to 90 days in jail.

bbc.co.uk

Tyra Banks stepped out as the top witness Wednesday, testifying against accused stalker Brady Green.

"I fear my safety. I feel extremely vulnerable. I fear the safety of my staff. My family. The people in my vicinity," said Banks, who appeared calm and spoke softly on the stand in downtown Manhattan, as she shared her recollection of when she heard about Green, 38, who is charged with stalking, harassment and criminal trespass.

"[My staff doesn't] tell me about fans," said Banks. "They said this person threatened one of my staffers. At that moment that was it. The first thing is there's this person who's more than a fan."

Explaining the intensity of the threat, Banks said, "I was at work one day about to leave and a bunch of people on my staff said, 'No! You can't go.' [Green] got past security and you need to be here. Never in my career had staff reacted like this. I had to stay in my dressing room for a while."

The incident scared Banks profoundly. "My life has changed significantly, even the people who know me," she testified. "I don't live that sheltered life. I like to walk around my neighborhood. I run outside. I like to go to the movies by myself, eat meals by myself. My company hired security. When I'm at the movies, in a restaurant, they are there with me."

Other ways her life has changed? "I can't jog outside anymore. I would go with a trainer or alone but with security present," she said, adding, "The show made significant changes. They hired security. Plain clothes too. Budget is everything but they understood that was necessary. The extra [expenditures] were made."

Banks left the courthouse escorted by lawyers and did not comment. Green's lawyers declined to comment. He faces a maximum of 90 days in jail if convicted

people.com

Tyra leaving court (April 29th)

celebutopia via RoseMary

 

[CharlottefromCA]

she looks great leaving the courthouse. I wonder if she will discuss this on a show, most likely.

 

[sethii]

She did look amazing leaving court - like there was a wind machine pointed at her

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COMcJhk8U38

 

[carmen_kass]

This whole thing must have been sad and scary for her, but DAMN! SHE LOOKS good. Which isn't really the point. I'd have a stalker to if my weave looked like that.

 

[Iloveyoutoo]

^Thats the first thing I thought when I saw photage of her coming out of the courthouse yesterday LOL

 

[Filipe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBs-qt4Nz-w

 

[Mchunu]

yea, he looks scary

 

[Nemova]

This is also OT but this bit made me roll my eyes:

"[My staff doesn't] tell me about fans," said Banks.

Poor Tyra fans, she doesn't give a sh-t about them.