Man who secretly filmed nude ESPN reporter sentenced to prison


A man who filmed ESPN reporter Erin Andrews through several peepholes as she walked around her hotel room in the nude, then attempted to shop the videos to the highest bidder, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on Monday.

A man this stupid deserves what he gets.

Michael Barrett, a 48-year-old insurance executive from Chicago, somehow managed to rent hotel rooms adjacent to Andrews’ rooms in three cities, then placed his video camera through peepholes in the hotel doors, managing to get clear footage of the reporter as she got dressed in the morning.

He then shopped the videos around to websites like TMZ, expecting them to purchase the videos even though they were obtained in an illegal manner.

If Andrews had volunteered to be filmed and the video somehow was leaked, it would be a different story altogether. But Andrews had a clear expectation of privacy, as we all do when we’re behind closed doors inside our hotel rooms.

Sometimes, photography is a crime. And in this case, there is no doubt about it.

Comments

Anonymous
Anonymous

This is a good illustration of when an expectation of privacy exists. If you feel comfortable walking around naked, then there’s probably an expectation of privacy.

Anonymous
Anonymous

No objection here either. This guy got what he deserved.
NYCPhotorights´s last blog ..Burlington Vermont Forces Photographer to Quit Hobby

Anonymous
Anonymous

“a 48-year-old insurance executive from Chicago, somehow managed to rent hotel rooms adjacent to Andrews’ rooms in three cities”

That’s one crafty insurance agent.

And a lot of effort just to get himself thrown in jail where he belongs.
Michaelk42´s last blog ..And onward we trundle

Anonymous
Anonymous

I was wondering how he pulled that off. Three cities next to the same person. Amazing is all I can say.

Carlos, what court was this in? State, Federal or Municiple? Do you know the exact charges? I see a couple of acts here that could result in other sentences. The act of take the photos is one and that should be in some kind of local court. So he could get sentences in three jurisdictions for that and three sentences. There must be some kind of federal rule as well for the act of trying to sell the videos. Also some kind of violation civil rights claims coming along. I’m sure this story has legs for a long time.
Duane Kerzic´s last blog ..Weather Station

Anonymous
Anonymous

Got what he deserved! He is the sort that makes it hard for all other photographers obeying the rules.
He should be banned from any type of camera for life also. Yes, even cell phone cameras.

Anonymous
Anonymous

I’m waiting for the day some MFA tries this because it’s absolutely the only way left to make art that’s transgressive that hasn’t been done. Serrano’s blasphemy, Witkin’s stiffs and Greenberg’s kiddie torment are old news.

Anonymous
Anonymous

The lady is beautiful and I under stand the temptation, BUT this is totally out of line. No one has the right to do what he did and jail is right for this.
If we are to have our rights respected we must respect those of others.

Anonymous
Anonymous

In fact I would say we have a duty to respond in such cases and condemn this trespass.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Tar and feathers!

Anonymous
Anonymous

I believe it was a federal case, although I can’t remember the exact charges.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Voyeurism’s been done to death in the post-modern art world.

Anonymous
Anonymous

What good will prison do except cost the taxpayers a load of cash?

The guy should have been sentenced to a local jail on work release only in order to pay all of his income for a set time period to Andrews. No weekends, no recreation, and all his earnings are forked over until a predetermined amount is reached. Jailhouse meals, no weekends except to volunteer under supervision at animal shelters and soup kitchens.

Do this for 2 1/2 years. Andrews reaps a financial restitution, the perp has his whole life put on hold, and must work to pay his debt while performing volunteer work on his weekends.

Prison isn’t always the best answer.

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