Erin Andrews civil trial to begin Monday
NASHVILLE — FOX Sports reporter and television personality Erin Andrews is returning to Nashville, but this time, she is coming to a courtroom.
Andrews' negligence lawsuit against a Marriott hotel, in which she's seeking $75 million, is set for a civil trial beginning Monday.
In 2008 Andrews visited Nashville to cover a Vanderbilt University football game. In her lawsuit, filed two years later, Andrews accuses the hotel and others of allowing David Barrett, then 50, to book rooms next to hers, rig peepholes and film videos of her changing clothes.
Court documents say Barrett then posted those videos on the Internet.
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Andrews is suing Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, Windsor Capital Group and Barrett. Her lawsuit accuses the Marriott of negligence, infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy.
Andrews also sued Marriott International, but Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden dismissed claims against the hotel giant in late January, saying that among other reasons, the franchiser was not responsible for security at a local hotel.
The hotel chain released a statement via its attorney, Elizabeth Tipping, expressing sympathy for Andrews' ordeal and noting it was a third party who was responsible. The statement continues: "As we have maintained since this matter first came to our attention, however, Marriott International was not responsible for what happened to Ms. Andrews, and we are pleased that the Court has dismissed Marriott International from the case. Marriott International continues to be sensitive to the serious nature of this matter and remains committed to the safety and comfort of our guests."
Barrett was arrested in 2009, pleaded guilty to stalking and shooting the nude videos and was sentenced in 2010 to 30 months in prison. He now lives in Oregon.
The jury trial is expected to last 10 days. Much of the pretrial work, including motions that could reveal more details about the case, have been filed under seal.
It will be heard before Gayden. Jury selection begins at 9 a.m. Monday.
Follow Stacey Barchenger on Twitter: @sbarchenger