Judge orders trial for 2 accused of extorting Stevie Wonder over film

By Anthony McCartney | Abbey Westbury
January 09 2025 05:24 AM

CP19403268 — FILE - In this May 9, 2012 file photo, Stevie Wonder performs during the "In Performance at the White House" in the East Room of the White House in Washington, honoring songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. A judge ruled on Thursday July 12, 2012 that two people, including his cousin, who tried to extort the musician should stand trial. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A judge has ordered two people accused of extorting Stevie Wonder to stand trial.

Superior Court Judge Ray G. Jurado made the ruling after a preliminary hearing Thursday in Los Angeles. His determination was made after hearing from three witnesses who testified Alpha Walker and Tamara Diaz attempted to sell a potentially embarrassing film to the Grammy-winning musician.

Wonder’s attorney William Briggs II says he watched portions of the video and that Walker made “slanderous” statements about the musician and his mother. Griggs says the footage also included Wonder’s son, whom the singer is protective of.

Walker and Diaz were arrested after being paid $10,000 by Briggs in a sting organized by police.

Defence attorneys argued prosecutors hadn’t shown enough evidence and Walker was exercising his First Amendment rights.

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