MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A Manhattan judge dismissed weapons charges against accused Madonna "stalker" Robert Linhart Tuesday.
The 61-year-old superfan of the Material Girl learned they were dropped during a court appearance in which Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Bonnie Wittner ruled in favor of the love-struck retired firefighter, who held up signs outside the singer's Central Park West building.
His car was searched and a switchblade was allegedly found when Linhart, who retired from the FDNY in 1988, was arrested in September 2010 as he professed his love for the iconic performer.
"Meet me please," read one sign. "The universe brought us together," said another.
Linhart's lawyers had argued that the charges be dismissed so that they could get to trial faster.
Prosecutors argued in papers that the deadline to bring the case to trial had not passed, and cited difficulties with scheduling a trial around Madonna — a witness who is often out of the country — for slowing down the process.
Linhart, who was never actually charged with stalking, faced weapons possession, resisting arrest and graffiti charges and was free on bail pending his trial.
His attorney Kevin Kitson did not immediately return calls for comment. The lawyer has previously said that Linhart was harmless and used the knife in his car to cut materials for his signs.