A 48-year-old Mississippi man accused of stalking actress Jennifer Aniston and crashing his PT Cruiser through the front gate of her Los Angeles home showed up to court on Thursday shirtless and wrapped in a blanket, leading the presiding judge to order a mental evaluation.
Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, who did not speak during his court appearance, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of stalking and vandalism through his public defender. Prosecutors allege that Carwyle has harassed Aniston for two years with voicemails, emails, and social media messages, referring to Aniston as his wife in some posts.
“You are not to have any contact with Jennifer Aniston under any conditions,” the judge said, per the Associated Press.
Proceedings were suspended due to Carwyle’s mental health status. His next hearing is scheduled for May 22 in mental health court. He will remain in jail until that time.
The gate-crashing incident occurred on Monday. Carwyle was arrested by LAPD around 12:30 p.m. after private security guards detained him outside Aniston’s home. Prosecutors said the accused caused “substantial damage” to the property.
Fox News reported that he had been living in a Walmart parking lot in Los Angeles for several months. The outlet also noted that Carwyle was an auto mechanic and that his friends have said they’re concerned that he’s having a “mental breakdown.”
“Stalking is a crime that can quickly escalate from harassment to dangerous, violent actions, threatening the safety of victims and our communities,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable.”
Aniston’s attorney, who was at Thursday’s hearing, declined to comment on the proceedings.
The actress bought her mid-century style mansion in L.A.’s Bel Air neighborhood for about $21 million in 2012.
Aniston shot to fame while starring on the hit sitcom “Friends,” which aired from 1994 until 2004. She currently stars in “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+.
