Trial Begins for Accused Uma Thurman Stalker
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A former mental patient went on trial yesterday on charges he stalked actress Uma Thurman, showing up at her movie set and the doorstep of her Manhattan apartment, and once saying that his hands should be on her body “at all times.”
The first day of the trial included testimony from Ms. Thurman’s brother, Dechen Thurman, who said the defendant, Jack Jordan, called him in tears three years ago, saying he would kill himself unless he spoke to the “Kill Bill” star within two days.
“He said he was certain that she was very unhappy, that she was lonely and that she was reaching him in dreams as a goddess,” Mr. Thurman testified. “They needed to be together. They were meant to be together, and that kind of stuff.”
Mr. Jordan, 37, was charged with stalking and aggravated harassment. He was arrested in October 2007 after following and trying to contact Ms. Thurman sporadically from early 2005 until about a month before his arrest. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.
Mr. Thurman said during testimony that he was alone at his parents’ New York state home when he received the call. He refused to give out the number, suggesting instead that Mr. Jordan start a fan club for his 37-year-old sister and seek professional help. “He was sobbing and very desperate to communicate,” Mr. Thurman testified.
The actress was expected to testify against Mr. Jordan during the trial in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court, which was expected to finish this week.
Defense lawyer George Vomvolakis told the jury in his opening statement that Mr. Jordan is not a stalker, but someone who genuinely loves Ms. Thurman. He “does not think the way you and I think. He doesn’t know the boundaries you and I know. He is in love and thinks it’s romantic,” he said.
“You need to thing about what my client’s intentions were,” Mr. Vomvolakis said. “Did he ever intend to harass or annoy or alarm her? He loved her. He possibly still does.”
Mr. Vomvolakis said Mr. Jordan’s comment about having his hands on Ms. Thurman’s body may be creepy, but it is not criminal.
Mr. Jordan is free on $10,000 bail.
