Alleged Madonna stalker nixes plea deal
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Pop icon and filmmaker Madonna, who has home in Manhattan.
A retired New York City firefighter accused of stalking Madonna turned down a plea deal with a yearlong sentence Tuesday.
Robert Linhart, 61, faces weapons possession charges in the case after cops found a knife in his fanny pack and an ice pick in his truck in back-to-back incidents near Madonnas Central Park West pad in September 2010, authorities said.
He also had signs professing his love for the pop icon, cops said.
Linharts lawyer, Kevin Kitson, says his client never should have been arrested.
"The New York City Police Department in this case was a servant of the private security of Madonna, doing a celebrity's bidding," Kitson charged. "If you have enough money and power, the rules are different."
The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Linhart's case will now head to a hearing Feb. 21 and a possible trial.
Kitson said the hearing will focus on whether cops had probable cause to arrest his client, a grandfather and 21-year FDNY vet who lives in upstate Huletts Landing near Lake George.
Linhart, who is out of prison on $20,000 bail, has been ordered to stay away from Madonna.
A RETIRED New York City firefighter accused of stalking Madonna turned down a plea deal with a year-long sentence Tuesday.
Robert Linhart, 61, faces weapons ! possessi on charges in the case after cops found a knife in his fanny pack and an ice pick in his truck in back-to-back incidents near Madonnas Central Park West pad in September 2010, authorities said.
He also had signs professing his love for the pop icon, cops said.
Linharts lawyer Kevin Kitson says his client never should have been arrested.