Criminal Justice
3rd-Party Stalking is a Crime, Wash. Supreme Ct. Says
Posted May 1, 2008, 06:23 pm CDT
By Martha Neil
Overturning a state appeals court decision, a divided Washington Supreme Court has decided that it is a criminal act for an individual to use third parties to stalk another person.
Ruling on the case of Andre Paul Becklin, who got friends to follow his ex-girlfriend and report back to him, the court held by a 6-3 vote that a Ferry County Superior Court jury conviction for stalking should be reinstated.
The friends followed the victim, circled her block in their cars and even provided written reports about her activities to Becklin, the court notes in its written opinion (PDF). Meanwhile, she had a protective order ordering Becklin to stay away from her.
A dissenting opinion (PDF) in the case says jury instructions weren't clear.
Additional coverage:
Associated Press: "WA high court: Stalking by third parties is a crime"
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