Gibson Stalker Convicted
It looks like Mel Gibson will be praying alone for a while.
An Idaho transient who claimed he was on a mission from God to pray with the Lethal Weapon star was found guilty Friday of felony stalking. It took the six-woman, six-man jury less than three hours to convict 34-year-old Zack Sinclair.
Sinclair, who represented himself in the four-day trial but didn't mount a defense, now faces between 16 months and three years in a state prison. Superior Court Judge John S. Fisher said Sinclair would likely be examined by a psychiatrist to determine whether he is fit for prison. Sinclair is due back in court Mar. 10.
Gibson himself took the stand Thursday to recount Sinclair's repeated attempts to contact the celebrity at his Malibu home and his church, the Holy Family Chapel.
"He showed unusual persistence...This young man doesn't appear to know his boundaries," said Gibson. "I think he needs some help.
"He worries my wife and other people around me and my family."
Sinclair, who once spent a stint in an Idaho state psychiatric facility, was arrested following a Sept. 20 visit to casa Gibson, leading the actor to obtain a restraining order against Sinclair. But, two weeks later, Sinclair was back.
As sheriff's deputies again took him into custody, Sinclair said, "I'm here because Mel Gibson needs healing."
According to a series of letters to Gibson, which the actor read aloud Thursday, Sinclair was inspired by Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and wanted to worship with him.
Sinclair rarely spoke during the trial, which began Monday. He refused to cross-examine Gibson or present a closing argument. He made just a brief statement during his opening remarks Wednesday, telling jurors, "I would just admonish you to vote your conscience."






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