A television meteorologist with a Nexstar-owned station in Alabama has escaped a misdemeanor stalking charge filed by a local waitress in the community where the weatherman works.
In mid-January, WDHN (Channel 18) weekend meteorologist Andrew Clarke was arrested after a complaint was filed by the woman, who alleged Clarke showed up to her work and her apartment several times in a way that was considered harassing.
The woman was able to obtain a misdemeanor warrant, and Clarke was arrested by local police after a local newscast.
On Thursday, a judge formally dismissed the complaint against Clarke. The judge didn’t weigh in on the merits of the woman’s complaint, but said the allegations against Clarke could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, the woman’s complaint may still be valid, but she lacked the evidence to prove it in court.
Clarke’s attorney, John C. White, said he felt his client was innocent from the moment he read the charging documents.
“I said from Day One, based on the materials that I read, a crime had not been committed,” White told a local newspaper. “Today, I believe the city prosecutor had an opportunity to speak with the victim and look over the statute, and a case couldn’t be made.”
Clarke was placed on leave while the case worked its way through the court system. With the case dismissed, a station official said Clarke is expected to return to work on Friday.
