Nearly eight years after Erin Andrews was videotaped undressed in a Nashville hotel room, the Fox Sports reporter (then with ESPN) will have her day in court. On Monday, Andrews’ negligence lawsuit against Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University will be heard in a civil trial as jury selection begins.
Andrews is seeking $75 million in damages, accusing the hotel of negligence, infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. Filed in 2010, the lawsuit blames the hotel and employees for allowing a stalker to book rooms next to Andrews in 2008 when she was in town to cover a Vanderbilt University football game, outfit peepholes and record videos of her changing clothes.
Michael David Barrett was arrested in 2009, pleaded guilty to stalking and shooting the videos (which were subsequently posted online). In 2010, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years probation and ordered to pay more than $12,000 in fines and restitution.
Additionally, Andrews sued Marriott International, but a circuit court judge dismissed that suit, ruling that a hotel chain could not be held responsible for security at a local franchise.
Marriott International released a statement through its attorney, noting that what happened to Andrews occurred through a third party. The statement reads, in part:
“As we have maintained since this matter first came to our attention, however, Marriott International was not responsible for what happened to Ms. Andrews, and we are pleased that the Court has dismissed Marriott International from the case. Marriott International continues to be sensitive to the serious nature of this matter and remains committed to the safety and comfort of our guests.”
According to The Tennessean, the jury trial is expected to last 10 days. Many documents and motions that have been filed before the trial, and would reveal further details about the case, are under seal.
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