A Lynnwood man Friday came close to getting a much stiffer penalty when he addressed a judge after pleading guilty to three counts of stalking Canadian pop singer Avril Lavigne and members of her family.
James B. Speedy, 31, gave a lengthy account of his fascination with the pop star, saying he didn’t want to have sex with her and didn’t know he had violated a Canadian court order not to contact her when he e-mailed her manager.
“I just wanted to meet Avril Lavigne. I’m not in love with her. I didn’t want to hurt her,” Speedy told Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Stephen Dwyer.
He said he was ashamed of what he had done, and at one point, “I had a growing sense my actions were intrusive.”
In response, Dwyer said it’s sometimes wise to address the court before sentencing, and sometimes not. The judge said Speedy still appears to be “in an extreme state of denial.”
“Quite frankly, almost anyone would suspect you’re at least a strange-acting person,” Dwyer said, adding a few might think his actions were malevolent.
Nevertheless, Dwyer accepted deputy prosecutor Janice Albert’s recommendation, sentencing Speedy to 30 days in jail. Speedy will be able to use the work-release program, if eligible, and also will have to pay a $500 fee and be under court supervision for two years
Speedy visited Lavigne’s hometown near Ontario in 2003, parked outside her parents’ house and violated the Canadian equivalent of an anti-harassment order by e-mailing her manager in March 2004, Albert said.
When Lavigne was performing in Seattle last year, Lynnwood police arrested Speedy as a precaution because he had communicated with Lavigne’s manager, Albert said. Several guns were confiscated at the time.
As a result of Friday’s guilty plea to a gross misdemeanor, Speedy will not be able to possess firearms again.
Speedy’s obsession started in 2003 when he began to write to Lavigne and her parents, Albert said. He sent wine, photographs, CDs and requests for contact. His requests were rebuffed.
In July 2003, her parents received flowers and an apology for intruding. Within hours, Canadian police found Speedy “dirty and unshaven” parked near the parents’ house. That’s when they got the anti-harassment order.
The Snohomish County charges stem from his attempt to reach Lavigne’s manager prior to her Seattle performance.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
