Harassed Singer : Woman Gets 2 1/2 Years to Ponder Song

A Van Nuys Municipal Court judge quoted lyrics from a Michael Jackson song as he sentenced a woman Monday to 2 1/2 years in jail for repeatedly harassing the singer and claiming to be his wife “Billie Jean.”

Lavon A. Muhammad, 41, was found guilty last week of eight misdemeanor charges stemming from her violation of a 1986 court order that she not pose as the singer’s wife or visit his Encino home.

As he imposed the maximum allowable sentence, Van Nuys Municipal Court Judge Stephen E. O’Neil urged that Muhammad--who insisted that court officials call her Billie Jean Jackson--listen to lyrics from a song on Michael Jackson’s latest album, “Bad.” The song is titled “Leave Me Alone.”

“I want you to listen to the current Michael Jackson song that’s been released,” O’Neil said. “The chorus says: ‘So just leave me alone, girl. Just stop me dogging me, girl. . . .’ You listen to the chorus of that song and you listen to those words.”

Muhammad has never met Jackson but claims that the singer fathered her three children, said Deputy City Atty. David S. Kestenbaum.

Three Incidents

The charges stem from two incidents last year and one earlier this month. In August, Muhammad tried to buy a wedding gown and bill it to Jackson, Kestenbaum said. In December, she had a $145 bill for medical treatment sent to Jackson’s house, he said.

Earlier this month, Muhammad walked up Jackson’s driveway in Encino, where she was stopped by a security guard and arrested by Los Angeles police, Kestenbaum said. She has been in custody since.

At the time of the jury verdict, O’Neil gave Muhammad the option of receiving psychiatric treatment instead of going to jail. She refused the offer, O’Neil said. On Monday, O’Neil extended the offer again and Muhammad declined a second time.

“I don’t require mental health care, sir,” said Muhammad, who once worked as a legal secretary at a large Los Angeles law firm.

Kestenbaum argued that the judge had no option but to impose the maximum sentence because Muhammad has continually violated the terms of the restraining order.

“The only way the conduct can be stopped is if she’s in jail,” he said.

Muhammad’s attorney, Michael M. Koire, said that his client did not deserve a jail sentence.

“I personally feel she’s harmless, and I just don’t see putting somebody away in jail for a delusion,” Koire said outside of court. “The delusion doesn’t hurt anybody.”

Since Muhammad has refused psychiatric treatment, she will not receive such counseling in jail, authorities said.