Ashanti ‘horrified’ by prospect of stalker retrial

Singer Ashanti leaves the courthouse after testifying at Devar Hurd’s trial in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. Ashanti said in testimony at Hurd’s trial Tuesday that she was “disgusted” and “absolutely scared” when she learned in July 2013 that Devar Hurd, who had been convicted of stalking her, had since been tweeting her X-rated messages and posed for a photo with her sister. AP

NEW YORK — R&B star Ashanti says she’s “shocked and horrified” at the possibility of being questioned again by a stalking suspect after a New York mistrial.

But the Grammy-winning singer tells The Associated Press she’ll “do whatever it takes” to make sure her family is safe.

A juror’s illness prompted the mistrial Thursday, two days after Ashanti told jurors she was scared and “disgusted” by Devar Hurd’s behavior.

Hurd represented himself and cross-examined her.

He’d been convicted in 2009 of stalking Ashanti’s mother by sending her crude text messages about her multiplatinum-selling daughter. He served about two years in jail and was ordered not to contact the family.

Then the family realized in 2013 Hurd had been tweeting Ashanti X-rated messages and posed for a photo with her sister.

He says he meant no harm.