Sarah Jessica Parker's Thief Gets Jail Time
Airdate
:
12/31/2009
A hulking police chief is reduced to tears as he is sentenced to jail in a bizarre case involving movie star Sarah Jessica Parker.
Barry Carpenter had been accused of breaking into the home of the surrogate who bore twins for Parker and husband Matthew Broderick. Carpenter was chief of police in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where the surrogate lives. Prosecutors said he conspired to steal items relating to the surrogate's pregnancy and sell them to the tabloids. Parker said at the time she was "outraged" at the invasion of the surrogate's privacy.
The police chief was convicted of receiving stolen property and theft in office, although he was cleared of burglary. He was sentenced to 32 months in jail Wednesday. The surrogate, Michelle Ross, sent an emotional e-mail to the judge, which he read at the sentencing.
"The day that Barry Carpenter entered my home and helped himself to my personal belongings was the day he walked out of my house with my privacy, security and peace of mind," read the judge.
Carpenter was led off in handcuffs, with burly court officers clearing the way.
