Stalking is described as repeating and threatening behavior by one individual against another, aspects of which may be planned or carried out in secret. This also involves following a person, appearing at one’s house uninvited or making harassing phone calls. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim or members of the victim’s immediate family. Stalking is one of the major issues facing American society today. Another form of stalking is also cyber stalking or the use of Internet by perpetrators seeking to exercise power and control over their victims. These threats are done by directly posting misleading and harassing information about them. Cyber stalking can be especially insidious …show more content…
Jennifer began to notice that Nathan was becoming possessive and controlling towards her. She decided to end the relationship and moved out on her own to rebuild her life. Nathan became more controlling by following Jennifer to and from her place of employment, watched her hours in the gym and watched her at her place of residence. Nathan continued to harass his soon to be ex-wife by making numerous threats on several occasions that had Jennifer convinced that Nathan was capable of harming her. Nathan Clements followed his wife and made several phone calls which resulted on his conviction of violating the anti-stalking laws in Texas. Consequently, Nathan was found guilty of violating anti-stalking laws in March 1999 and he was sentenced for a year on …show more content…
The victim had reasons to believe that the perpetrator conducts can cause another person to be placed in fear of bodily harm. The law was clear on what conducts would violate the anti-stalking law for any citizen to read and comprehend the limit of their conduct. Nathan claimed he was following Jennifer in attempt to save his marriage and I do not believe this was in fact the case. He allegedly stated to Jennifer that he would not remarry until she was dead and any reasonable person would feel unsafe after receiving this type of threat. I do believe sufficient evidence existed in this case to support a stalking conviction. There was proof that Jennifer communicated with Nathan on numerous occasions and he knew his actions were threatened by her reaction. She had to hire an officer to ensure she was safe while she removed her personal belongings out of the residence they once shared. He acknowledged this with his response to her divorce petition that “only the return of Christ or death would end their marriage” (Schmalleger & Hall,