Gomez stalking case dismissed by judge

A judge dismissed a criminal case against a man charged with stalking Selena Gomez because he did not believe prosecutors had shown he intended to cause the actress and singer to be afraid.

The dismissal will free Thomas Broadnicki, 46, who was charged earlier this month with stalking Ms Gomez between July and October.

The starlet was not present for the preliminary hearing during which a prosecutor attempted to show there was probable cause for Mr Brodnicki to stand trial.

Mr Brodnicki has a history of mental illness and was being held on $150,000 bail after his arrest on October 31.

Mental health workers had notified authorities that he had threatened to kill the starlet while on a psychiatric hold.

“We strenuously objected,” to the dismissal, district attorney’s spokesperson Sandi Gibbons said.

She said Superior Court Judge Edmund Willcox Clarke Jr ruled Mr Brodnicki “did not have the intent to cause fear”.

Ms Gibbons said the office is evaluating its options, which could include re-filing the case at a later date. A civil restraining order requiring Mr Brodnicki to stay 100 yards away from Ms Gomez remains in place. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to determine whether the stay-away order will remain in place for the next three years.