| “ | I just wanted to talk to her. | „ |
| ~ Jesse rationalizing assaulting Lucy Neven. |
Jesse Unger is the main antagonist of the Law & Order episode "Star Struck". He is a mentally ill stalker who is obsessed with soap opera star Lucy Neven, and tries to kill her when she spurns his advances.
He is portrayed by Bradley White.
Early life[]
Jesse suffered from mental illness - including depression, delusions, and obsessive-compulsive disorder - that took hold after the death of his mother when he was a child. His father, William, refused to send him to a psychiatrist, however, instead giving him a job as a mannequin dresser in his department store to occupy his time and give his life structure.
Through his work, Jesse discovered fashions worn by soap opera star Lucy Nevens, and soon became obsessed with her, collecting press clippings about her and buying her old costumes from her show. He was convinced that he and Nevens "belonged together", and that she would fall in love with him if she only got to know him.
Eventually, Jesse began stalking Nevens, following her to her house and making several phone calls demanding to see her. Frightened, Nevens changed her phone number and even moved to avoid him, but he only became more determined, finding her no matter where she went.
After a fight with his girlfriend, Sandy, Jesse tracked Nevens down to her new apartment and tried to kiss her, but she fought him off. Enraged by her rejection, Jesse struck her several times in the head and tried to strangle her, putting her in a coma.
In "Star Struck"[]
While investigating Nevens' attack, NYPD Homicide Sergeant Phil Cerreta and Detective Mike Logan discover Jesse's history of harassing her and question him, but he claims merely to be a fan. Sandy also gives him an alibi, claiming that he had been with her at the time of the assault. Cerreta and Logan discover that she is lying, however, giving them probable cause to question Jesse as a suspect. Meanwhile, Nevens regains consciousness and identifies Jesse as her attacker, and Cerreta and Logan arrest him.
Executive Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone and Assistant District Attorney Paul Robinette charge Jesse with stalking and attempted murder, but they are blindsided when he pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming that voices in his head told him to attack Nevens. Stone has forensic psychiatrist Elizabeth Olivet examine Jesse, and she diagnoses him as disturbed but legally sane. Nevertheless, Stone and Robinette cannot find any evidence to prove or disprove that he hears voices, and William refuses to tell them anything about his son that they could use to put him in prison.
Ultimately, however, the jury convicts Jesse of all charges after Nevens gives emotional testimony about the trauma she endured, which has effectively ended her career. He is given a lengthy prison sentence, even though Stone has come to believe that Jesse really is sick and needs to be in a hospital, not prison.
Trivia[]
- Jesse is inspired by three real-life celebrity stalkers:
- Robert John Bardo, the stalker and murderer of actress Rebecca Schaffer.
- Arthur Richard Jackson, the stalker and assailant of actress Theresa Saldana.
- The unnamed stalker and attempted murderer of actress Andrea Evans.
External links[]
- Jesse Unger on the Law & Order Wiki
