Laurence Fishburne Granted Restraining Order Against Ex-Convict
Laurence Fishburne has been granted a temporary restraining order against an ex-convict who claimed to own the actor’s Los Angeles home and tried to evict him from the property on New Year’s Day.
Mark Francisco, also known as Anthony Francis, was ordered to stay 100 yards away from Fishburne, his wife, and his daughter.
Francisco was convicted of cyberstalking in 2010 and was sentenced to serve two years in state prison. Court records showed that he spent time in a state mental hospital for that case. He was found competent to stand trial and pleaded no contest, according to US News & World Report.
Francisco went to the Oscar nominee’s home January 1 and told Fisburne’s wife, actress Gina Torres, that they were living there illegally. Police were called and advised Fishburne to seek a restraining order based on Francisco’s criminal record. He had also left a handwritten letter that threatened to evict the family from the home.
Fishburne and Torres have owned the home for 10 years.
The actor’s attorney, Donald Etra, said, “This is a case of stalking, and the judge had no problem in issuing a temporary restraining order to stop it.”
A court hearing for a three-year restraining order has been scheduled for January 23.
Fishburne and Torres will be appearing together as husband and wife in the NBC series Hannibal. The series, which was developed by Pushing Daisies writer Bryan Fuller will also star Hugh Dancy as Special Agent Will Graham and Mads Mikkelson as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Fishburne will have a recurring role as Special Agent Jack Crawford.
