The city of Indianapolis Before a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on Tuesday, the Texas man accused of stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark publicly admitted guilt as charged.
During his first court appearance since his arrest over the weekend, 55-year-old Michael Thomas Lewis erupted in several outbursts after allegedly making a string of offensive and threatening remarks about the Indiana Fever star online.
Judge Angela Davis of Marion County Superior Court called Lewis’ case, and the defendant abruptly yelled out that he was guilty as charged.
Later, he blurted out Give me the booky! and I’m at liberty! You got the wrong guy, I suppose! while also expressing dissatisfaction over the fact that his name in court documents lacked a Jr.
Courtroom authorities, dressed in an orange jail uniform and black sandals, walked up to Lewis each time he talked out of turn and instructed him to sit up straight and refrain from interjecting.
Judge Davis reviewed the allegations that Lewis created a legitimate fear of sexual assault by frightening, intimidating, or threatening Clark.
“Can I say something?” Lewis asked in response. until Davis firmly said, “Not yet.”
He answered the court, “I need my medicines,” in response to the question of whether he has a mental disorder. Lewis said he needed his meds when asked again if he needed a counsel.
Lewis said that he is unemployed at the moment and cannot afford an attorney. Lewis said, “I kind of live in my car,” in response to the question of whether he lives in Texas.
He informed the judge that he has $100 saved and that the value of his 2016 Toyota Avalon is around $10,000.
Lewis signed court orders promising not to speak to Clark and to avoid Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home venue of the Indiana Fever.Additionally, he was prohibited from entering the famous Hinkle Fieldhouse, which is home to Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, assistant basketball coach at Butler University.
“The court will revoke your bond if you violate stay away or no contact orders,” the judge informed him.
Lewis was ordered to be held in lieu of a $50,000 bond after Judge Davis entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The judge stated that Lewis would have to remain in Indiana and wear a GPS monitor if he could raise the required funds.
Lewis, however, stated that he had no plans to post bail.
“I don’t want bail, bond, or anything else,” he declared. “I’m present. I will remain.
Gavin Uitvlugt, the defense lawyer the court designated to represent Lewis, declined to comment after the 15-minute hearing on Tuesday.
According to a complaint filed by Marion County prosecutors, Lewis is accused of engaging in a pattern of behavior that involves persistent or repeated harassment of Caitlin Clark, which would have made a reasonable person feel intimidated. Lewis is charged with one count of stalking.
Prosecutors claimed that Lewis used X to send Clark, the all-time top scorer in college basketball and the WNBA’s rookie of the year, a slew of obscene and sexually explicit communications between December 16 and January 2.
According to the court affidavit, Lewis was located by police using an IP address that connected him to the downtown Indianapolis Public Library and the Hilton Garden hotel located at 120 W. Market St.