Erin Andrews’ Testimony Is Wrought With Emotion

Erin Andrews offered her testimony in what may end up being one if the most memorable court cases of 2016, if only for the level of raw emotion displayed by Andrews. The sportscaster, known for her critical analyses on the field, revealed a more vulnerable side as she recounted how she has been victimized by Michael David Barrett. Andrews also shared how her life has changed since Barrett recorded and released the video images.

Erin Andrews Breaks Down, As She Testifies Against Her Stalker

Erin was in the company of her father and the F.B.I. when she was first shown the video recordings taken by Barrett, and she says just the thought of the video had her vomiting, even before they viewed the recording. Since that day, Andrews says depression, panic attacks, and constant anxiety fill most of her days.

Andrews recalled that she found out about the video when a friend called to tell her that she had come across it on the Internet. After seeing the images of herself nude, Andrews’ first reaction was to call her parents.

Erin was devastated; but, the worst was yet to come, as critics and Internet users began suggesting that Andrews had actually posed for Barrett. They were saying that Erin made the video willingly, as a part of a publicity stunt.

However, the entire Andrews family has found themselves wanting to know who could let such a thing happen. Erin has an answer and, as she gave it, tears flooded her face and her voice trembled. As angry as she was devastated, Andrews says she blames the Nashville Marriott.

“Why didn’t they even call me to tell me?” she said of the Marriott and Barrett’s request to be assigned a neighboring room. “Why didn’t they ask?”

“I was so angry. This could’ve been stopped. The Nashville Marriott could’ve just called me. And I’m just so angry. I’m so mad.”

An Estimated 17 Million People Have Viewed Erin Andrews’ Nude Video

Barrett, the man responsible for taking the video of Erin through a self-made peephole, said that money was his only concern in creating the video. He first offered it to TMZ, but when the site surprisingly declined to buy it Barrett then posted it online.

His decision to video Andrews was not personal, but based on her popularity. Michael also said that she was trending on Yahoo and that seemed to suggest she would be a good target.

Erin Andrews’ attorney questioned a computer expert during the $75 million civil suit and that expert said he conservatively estimated that 17 million people have viewed the video of Andrews.

“Every minute, 1.5 people are watching that video,” Penn State Professor Bernard Jansen theorized. “Right now, someone is watching that video.”

This testimony was another emotional ordeal for Andrews. The sportscaster broke down into tears, as Jansen recited a partial list of adult websites that have featured the video. Proving too much for her to see again, Erin exited the courtroom, as the jury was shown the video. It was noted that, as the jury watched the footage, one female juror turned her head away a number of times.

Now, Andrews has difficulty dating because she’s unsure how men will react to her past. Her therapist stresses that her concerns directly relate to the incident at the Nashville Marriott.

“She has this huge baggage that comes along with her that will have to become part of a dialogue in some way with a partner,” said therapist Loren Comstock.

In 2013, Erin began dating professional hockey player Jarret Stoll, but her past created an obstacle to the relationship. She approached Comstock, anxious over how she might be able to talk to Stoll about the situation.

“Do you bring it up? Do you wait for them to bring it up? I told her, ‘Just go with it. It happened to you, it’s not something you did.'”

[Image by Erika Goldring/Getty Images]