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Britney
Seeks Restraining Order
LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2003
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Britney
Spears, pictured above, claims Shizawa sent her hundreds
of love letters and photographs, and tracked her to her
homes in Louisiana and Hollywood. (AP)
 "He's not a stalker. He's an avid fan."
Simon R. Hiller,
attorney for Masahiko Shizawa
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(AP) A
man who allegedly stalked Britney Spears is just "an avid fan" and
his actions were simply misinterpreted by the pop star, his
attorney said in court.
Simon R. Hiller told a Superior Court commissioner that his client,
Masahiko Shizawa, 41, of Yokohama, Japan, is trying to resolve the
matter with Spears privately.
Spears claims Shizawa sent her hundreds of love letters
and photographs, and tracked her to her homes in
Louisiana and Hollywood. Shizawa allegedly
wrote "I'm chasing you" on one of the photos.
Spears, 21, is seeking a restraining order that would bar Shizawa from
coming within 1,000 yards of her. The singer also is seeking attorney
fees and court costs.
" He's not a stalker," Hiller said of Shizawa, a computer programmer and inventor. "He's
an avid fan."
A person who answered the telephone at the office of Joel R. Strote,
an attorney for Spears, said Strote would not comment on the hearing.
The case was continued until April 18. If it hasn't been resolved by
then, a hearing on evidence will be scheduled.
Shizawa has returned to Japan but wants to settle
the dispute so he can eventually come back to the
United States, his attorney said. |
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