Thurman family at 'stalker' trial

The parents of Hollywood actress Uma Thurman have been giving evidence in a New York court against the man accused of stalking their daughter.

Dr Robert Thurman said his daughter had been alarmed and concerned for her two children after she received persistent e-mails from 37-year-old Jack Jordan.

Her mother, Birgitte, said Mr Jordan "would benefit from medical attention".

Mr Jordan denies charges of stalking and aggravated harassment. He faces up to a year in jail if he is convicted.

At the start of his trial on Monday, Mr Jordan's lawyer, George Vomvolakis, claimed his client thought he was being romantic.

Ms Thurman, the star of Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction and other films, is due to give evidence later this week.

'Razor's edge'

Testifying in court in Manhattan on Tuesday, the actress's father said Mr Jordan had been a menacing presence in the mind of his family from 2005 to 2007.

Mr Jordan sent constant e-mails to them, he said, as well as telephoning and loitering around his daughter's film sets and her home.

"Love is a two-way street, so if you're not feeling it, then I'm not - so please don't feel that you have a stalker"
Alleged e-mail from Jack Jordan

They included frequent declarations of love for the actress and described his belief that she would not be happy without him.

Mr Thurman read some of the messages out loud. One said: "I feel in love sometimes and at other times terrified, and test the razor's edge on a ledge."

He also wrote: "Love is a two-way street, so if you're not feeling it, then I'm not. So please don't feel that you have a stalker. I have a strong feeling you won't be completely happy without me."

Mr Thurman said his daughter was especially concerned for her two children, daughter Maya Ray and son Levon Roan, describing her as a "heavy-duty mom".

Thurman's mother, Birgitte, told the jury of a phone call she had with Mr Jordan in which he said the two were destined to be together. She said she had told him this was a fantasy and that he then threatened to kill himself.

Prosecutors said this amounted to emotional blackmail and pointed to another email where Mr Jordan said he would commit suicide within 48 hours if the star did not contact him.

Earlier the court heard how he had also tried to get into Uma Thurman's trailer while she was filming My Super Ex-Girlfriend in Manhattan.

Two minders stopped him but she was left shaking and agitated, her make-up artist and costume designer said.

Mr Jordan, from Maryland, denies stalking. His lawyer told the jury on Monday that he was "creepy" and "obsessive", but not a criminal.

"He doesn't know the boundaries you and I know," George Vomvolakis said.

But the BBC's Heather Alexander in New York says that prosecutors have argued the price of fame should not be this high - they say someone has to tell Mr Jordan that enough is enough.