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Charges Dismissed Against Sabrina Carpenter's Alleged Stalker Due to Mental Incompetency

A Los Angeles judge dropped misdemeanor counts against William Applegate, who remains subject to a five-year restraining order.

The short version

  • A Los Angeles judge dismissed criminal charges against William Applegate, accused of stalking pop star Sabrina Carpenter, after ruling him mentally incompetent to stand trial.
  • The decision overrode objections from prosecutors following a psychiatric evaluation of Applegate.
  • Applegate remains subject to a five-year restraining order requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away from Carpenter, her home, car, and workplaces until 2031.

Key facts

  • On August 25, a Los Angeles judge dismissed eight misdemeanor counts against 31-year-old William Applegate, including stalking, trespassing, battery, and disorderly conduct, citing mental incompetency.[Billboard]
  • The criminal charges stemmed from a May incident in which Applegate allegedly surveilled Carpenter's Los Angeles home for a month and attempted to break in.[Billboard]
  • In June, a downtown Los Angeles judge issued a five-year restraining order against Applegate valid until 2031.[Billboard]
  • Applegate opposed the restraining order in court filings, claiming he and Carpenter were part of a classified military-government program.[Billboard]

Sources