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Alleged Madonna Stalker Says He'd 'Do It Again' if Released

By DNAinfo Staff on September 22, 2010 2:38pm  | Updated on September 23, 2010 6:04am

A man accused of stalking Madonna was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday.
A man accused of stalking Madonna was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday.
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Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

By Shayna Jacobs

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — A former firefighter twice charged with stalking the Material Girl at her Upper West Side building pledged to do it again if he's released from jail, prosecutors said Wednesday.

"I won’t stop until I actually meet Madonna. If I get arraigned tonight and get out tomorrow, I’m going to go back there and do it again," Robert Linhart told police after his arrest, prosecutors told a judge at Linhart's arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Linhart, 59, was charged with fourth-degree weapons possession for allegedly having an ice pick in his car, along with a resisting arrest charge and a graffiti offense.

Bail was set at $40,000 bond or $20,000 cash. Neither were posted immediately after his arraignment so he remained in custody.

Alleged Madonna stalker Robert Linhart, 59, at his arraignment Wednesday.
Alleged Madonna stalker Robert Linhart, 59, at his arraignment Wednesday.
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Pool photo by Marc Hermann

One of Linhart's lawyers, Cheryl Bader, said the bail was unusually high for a harmless crime.

"My understanding is it's not a crime to adore Madonna," Bader said while arguing for his release.

Police arrested Linhart outside the star's Central Park West apartment near West 64th Street around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, where he was holding a sign that read "the universe brought us together" and "meet me please, XXX."

"This is police brutality. I have a right to do this," Linhart told police, prosecutors said Wednesday. Linhart nodded his head in court as the assistant district attorney repeated his comments.

The ardent Madonna fan was represented in court by Fordham Law School students, under the supervision of Bader. The team will argue for his release on bail this afternoon, after asking the judge for more time. 

Madonna has reportedly been living on Central Park West while her daughter, Lourdes Leon, attends LaGuardia High School near Lincoln Center.
Madonna has reportedly been living on Central Park West while her daughter, Lourdes Leon, attends LaGuardia High School near Lincoln Center.
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Joe Kohen/Getty Images

Linhart is a 1988 FDNY retiree who served more than 20 years in the department, his lawyer said. He was previously arrested for drunken driving, prosecutors said.