NEW YORK – A love-struck fan who ardently pursued singer Sheryl Crow (search) for 15 months was acquitted Tuesday of stalking her. A jury deliberated about three hours before finding Ambrose Kappos (search), 38, not guilty of burglary and stalking charges. He faced up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Kappos noisily kissed his lawyer on both cheeks and said, "That's a Greek kiss, brother."
Outside court, Kappos said he believes he was "delusional" when he thought he was communicating telepathically with Crow.
"Clearly there was no telepathy," Kappos said, adding two unhappy marriages, an infatuation with Crow and other emotional difficulties created the "perfect storm" psychologically, and caused his behavior.
He said he was "still looking for love, and if I can find a really good woman who can stir my emotions the way Ms. Crow did" a relationship would be possible.
During the trial, defense lawyer Stanford Hickman pointed out Kappos was always polite and never threatened anyone. Kappos insisted he was merely a love-struck fan.
The pop rocker testified, however, Kappos "creeped me out" when she learned he had been following her and had contacted members of her family. She testified she became concerned about her family's safety.
Kappos was accused of pursuing Crow from July 2002 until his Oct. 6, 2003, arrest at the a concert hall in New York City where the singer was appearing. His pursuit included visits to her sister in Tennessee and to her father in Missouri.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Hill asserted it did not matter to Kappos that his attentions were clearly unwanted. He said the defendant planned to give Crow a ring and ask her to marry him.
Although the original police report identified Kappos as a former Navy SEAL (search), prosecutors say he was a diver in a unit that worked with the SEALs, but was never part of the elite unit.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox