A judge ordered Stevie Wonder’s cousin to stand trial on an extortion charge after hearing testimony that the man and his girlfriend attempted to sell a film ranting against the singer’s treatment of his family for millions of dollars.
Superior Court Judge Ray Jurado says prosecutors presented enough evidence for a jury to decide whether Alpha L. Walker and his girlfriend Tamara E. Diaz extorted Wonder by threatening to sell it to various media outlets if they weren’t paid by the Grammy-winning musician.
The pair has been jailed since May 2, when they were arrested during a sting organized by Wonder’s attorney and Los Angeles police. The pair was given a $10,000 down payment on a $500,000 agreement to hand over the film footage and keep its contents confidential.
Wonder’s attorney William Briggs II said he watched much of the film but stopped when it showed footage of Wonder’s son, who has mental issues that were not described in court. He said Walker initially told him he wanted $5 million for the footage, but later agreed to a $500,000 payment.
Briggs said Walker also made claims that Wonder had “possibly engaged in an incestuous relationship.”
