Stalking charges will not be filed against Stump

By Chris Johnsen

March 4, 2005 | LOGAN -- Michael Bradon Stump will not have stalking charges filed against him and is expected to be released on bail to await trial, starting with pre-trial hearings and arraignment at 10 a.m. March 28.

Tony Baird, prosecuting attorney for the county attorney's office, said stalking charges were not filed because of a lack of evidence establishing stalking behavior; although Baird believed the behavior was present, it was too much in the early stages.

"I'm kind of relieved, I'm kind of glad all the charges aren't from me, it hurt me to see him walk in [to court] with [hand]cuffs on," said Stump's ex-girlfriend. "I want Mike to get help so he won't do this again."

Judge Clint S. Judkins set bail at $2,500 and gave Stump an order to reside with his parents in Salt Lake City and not enter Cache Valley at any time or for any reason other than to appear at court. Judkins also ordered Stump and his ex-girlfriend to make no further contact and told Stump's ex-girlfriend to report any form of contact from Stump immediately to law enforcement officials.

"It's nice for me to know he can't come into Cache Valley," said the ex-girlfriend. "I haven't been able to concentrate, I haven't been able to do my homework. I usually just sleep. Non-stop I'm thinking about it."

Stump was arrested Saturday night after a complaint of harassment was made to police by his ex-girlfriend. She said that Stump had called or sent text messages to her on at least 10 occasions throughout the day and had threatened to use a shotgun to blow off the door to her apartment if she would not allow him inside. Stump, during one phone call, told his ex-girlfriend he had swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills and she wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.

Stump's ex-girlfriend was granted a week's leave of absence from classes and will return to class next week. Stump is expected to make bail sometime this week.

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