Stalker case chaos after he marries victim

CINCINNATI, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- An Ohio judge postponed court proceedings against an accused stalker who married his teenage victim.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Norbert Nadel said the court would need more time to sort out the case of Stephen Watson, 28, after being told Watson had married Morgan Steele, 18, last fall despite a court order that he stay away from her.

"Didn't my order mean anything to you?" Nadel asked during Tuesday's hearing. The Cincinnati Enquirer said Wednesday Watson had been pursuing Steele since she was 16 and had been convicted in 2007 of providing her with cocaine that led to an overdose.

Watson kept coming back until Steele's mother, Lori Steele, sought a stalking order against him, which was thrown out when the mother failed to show up for a court hearing about the time her daughter was getting married.

The story doesn't end neatly, the Enquirer said. The couple promptly split up and Watson faces charges of domestic violence against his bride.