Robert Linhart, a former firefighter who was earlier arrested twice for stalking singer Madonna, won a $455,000 award from a Manhattan jury after accusing the New York Police Department (NYPD) of using excessive force.
He was outside Madonna’s Harperley Hall apartment on September 18, 2011 carrying a sign that read, “Madonna, I need you!” and “Tell me yes or no. If it’s yes, my dream will come true. If it’s no, I will go. XXXX.”
He was cleared of graffiti and weapons charges in that incident although he was convicted of resisting arrest in a subsequent stunt outside Madonna’s apartment. He received three years probation for the second arrest.
Linhart sued NYPD in 2011 for $5 million over the first arrest.
IANS
