Madonna stalker escapes from mental hospital

Robert Dewey Hoskins, left, who was convicted a year ago on charges of threatening to kill singer Madonna, right.

/ CBS/AP Photo/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Police are looking for Robert Dewey Hoskins, a man convicted of threatening to kill Madonna, who walked away from a Los Angeles-area mental hospital last week.

Hoskins was committed to a state hospital last year, according to Los Angeles police.

Police have called the 54-year-old "highly psychotic" and have said he can be extremely violent and should not be approached by members of the public.

Hoskins served a 10-year prison sentence for stalking and threatening Madonna, and court records show he was convicted of vandalism in July 2011. The singer testified against him during his 1996 trial.

Police say they have searched areas where Hoskins may try to go, including the city of Long Beach, south of Los Angeles.

[Fatesrider]

This has nothing to do with the story, but assuming someone at cbsnews.com is reading these things, please do something about the flash animation that causes the damn screen to jump up and down.

[kevin_hunt]

Is that one of the bad guys from the movie "Deliverance"? Paddle faster, I hear banjos!

[Transatlantique]

Madogma. I guess that's what God does to fallen Catholics who now pretend to be Jewish. She belongs in the same cell as him for mutilating the genitals of the male children she has.

[michelle050471]

I don't think Madonna made this happen to create a publicity stunt for her new album. Come on!!! What, you think she went and helped this crazy man get out? Really! And halftime, why are you even mentioning this when this is all about a psycho on the loose?

[cbsnews_viewer]

He got shot by a security guard, then did ten years. If he hasn't learned his lesson yet will he ever? Ten years in jail.
This celebrity will milk it as long as there are foolish fans willing to pay for her plastic surgeries. That half time shows sucked.

[inverse137]

"This celebrity will milk it as long as there are foolish fans willing to pay for her plastic surgeries."

I'm going to guess no one has ever accused you of being an intellectual powerhouse, have they?

[MichieM]

Take the word 'stalker' out of the headline, and this is a much, much better story.

[MichieM]

Take the word 'stalker' out of the headline, and this is a much, much better story.

[Transatlantique]

LOL. Kaaarazy for Kabbalah. She could sit in a vat of gefilte fish until hell freezes and she'd never be anything but a naughty Catholic girl.

[tangokipp]

all part of Madonas publicity campaign for her new album no doubt

[inverse137]

You're not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, are you?

Dude, you might want to double up on the foil hats. The single layer apparently isn't helping prevent the rays from doing damage to you brain.

A publicity stunt? How jaded....

[Transatlantique]

LOL. You mean that wasn't him on the tightrope?