The stalker claimed that her recorded videos, containing nudity, were taken at the Marriott Nashville hotel, owned by the stalker. Erin Andrews, a sportscaster for Fox, was awarded $55 million in her lawsuit against the stalker and the owner of the hotel, where the stalker said the nude videos of her were recorded.
The expert computer forensic, who testified, stated that the footage, which was secretly recorded through a peephole, was viewed approximately 17 million times online around the world. This incident happened in September 2008 when Erin Andrews was covering a college football game for ESPN in Nashville. Her stalker, David Michael Barrett, recorded her in her Marriott hotel room and subsequently put the footage online. Andrews’s lawyer argued that the hotel was negligent in allowing this traumatic incident to occur and she is seeking $75 million in damages.
Andrews told the jury that she has suffered depression as a result of the video, and feels humiliated on a daily basis.
Andrews testified, “as stated by the Associated Press,” occurs on a daily basis in my life.” “Whether it’s someone leaving a remark in the newspaper, receiving a still video on my Twitter, or hearing someone shout it at me from the stands, I am immediately reminded of this. I experience intense embarrassment and overwhelming shame whenever I receive a tweet or encounter someone.”
Andrews informed the jury that she is still haunted by the incident, in which she alleged that her former employer ESPN demanded her to do a sit-down interview clarifying that the video was not a publicity stunt before returning to work. She also mentioned that whenever she travels, she checks the hotel rooms for recording devices.
The legal team of Andrews argued that the hotel should have prevented Barrett from booking the next room in the hotel, as someone staying next door had requested to be alerted.
Meanwhile, Partners Hotel West End argued that Barrett was solely responsible for the crimes and proved that Andrews’s professional success hasn’t suffered from the long-lasting damage caused by the event.
During his testimony last week, former delivery-truck driver Barrett, who pleaded guilty to stalking, said that he was not proud of his financially motivated actions. Barrett, who served over two years in prison for secretly filming Andrews in Columbus, Ohio, as well as Nashville, was captured on video during his testimony.
After a trial that lasted for a week, a jury deliberated for approximately eight hours before concluding that West End Hotel Partners is responsible for 49 percent of the fault and must compensate approximately $26 million, while Barrett is accountable for 51 percent of the fault and must provide approximately $28 million in payment.
According to the AP, Andrews “burst into tears when the jurors proclaimed the verdict.”
On Monday afternoon, Andrews responded to the decision on social networking sites.
Andrews tweeted, “I would like to thank the court personnel and jury service for their support, as well as the Nashville court. The support I’ve received from the people of Nashville has been overwhelming. I would also like to thank my legal team, friends, and family. I’ve been honored by the support from victims around the world. Their outreach has helped me stand up, hold those accountable, and protect everyone’s privacy and security.”
Mark Seliger’s Portraits From the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Photo captured by Mark Seliger
Kate Bosworth.