Emily Leatherman was arrested on March 31, 2008, after a taxi cab driver reported to police that his passenger refused to pay her fare. The incident occurred near actor John Cusack's home. Upon their arrival on the scene, Cusack alerted officers that he recognized the passenger as being his alleged stalker, and that she was in violation of a restraining order.LA Times: Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Stalking John Cusack (April 1, 2008)
Leatherman pleaded no contest to a felony count of stalking on October 10, 2008, and was sentenced to five years' probation and mandatory psychiatric counseling.PerezHilton: Stalkerrific! (October 10, 2008)
Timeline
- November 2005: Began sending letters and packages to CusackLA Times: Judge to Weigh Mental Stability.... (July 11, 2008)
- 2005: Arrested outside Tom Cruise's Beverly Hills home and charged with misrepresenting herself to policeLA Times: Judge to Weigh Mental Stability.... (July 11, 2008)
- July 2006: Restraining order awarded to Cusack against LeathermanWashington Post: Cusack Wins Restraining Order (July 18, 2006)
- 2007: Arrested outside of Cruise's home for violating a restraining orderWashington Post: Cusack Wins Restraining Order (July 18, 2006)
- March 30, 2008: Arrested outside of Cusack's Malibu home and was booked on suspicion of felony stalking, violating a restraining order and petty theft.LA Times: Women Arrested on Suspicion of Stalking John Cusack (April 1, 2008)
- July 11, 2008: Acting as her own attorney, Leatherman admitted she had made attempts to contact John Cusack while in jailLA Times: California Briefing (July 12, 2008)
- August 13, 2008: Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Susan M. Speer determined Leatherman was competent to stand trial and appointed her an attorneyHuffington Post: Cusack's Accused Stalker Competent To Stand Trial (August 13, 2008)
- October 10, 2008: Pleaded no contest to a felony count of stalking and was sentenced to five years' probation and mandatory psychiatric counselingPerezHilton: Stalkerrific! (October 10, 2008)
Quotes
- "Emily Leatherman faces a maximum of three years in prison if convicted. Sheriff's deputies took her into custody near John Cusack's home in the posh seaside community of Malibu."—ReutersReuters: Woman charged with stalking actor John Cusack (April 2, 2008)
- "Emily Leatherman, 33, was booked on suspicion of felony stalking, violating a restraining order and petty theft. Leatherman, who was booked at the Malibu-Lost Hills station, was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail."—Steve Whitmore, sheriff's spokesmanLos Angeles Times: Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Stalking John Cusack (April 1, 2008)