by Isi Esene

Stevie Wonder’s cousin Alpha L. Walker, and his girlfriend, Tamara E. Diaz are to stand trial in the US for allegedly trying to blackmail him into parting for money or else they would release a ‘damning’ video of the twenty-two time Grammy award winning star. The duo are reported to have demanded $50,000 from Wonder beginning with a $10, 000 down-payment, failing which they will release a video accusing Wonder of mistreating his family.

Alpha Walker’s attorney, Ian Wallach, however said that his client’s actions are protected by the First Amendment, and that he can talk about Wonder on video if he wants to.

The video is described as an 80-minute rant by Walker about the things that irk him about Wonder.

According to the Daily Mail, two witnesses who testified against Walker, 38, said he accused the musician of being ‘a slumlord’ and made derogatory comments about the singer’s mother.

Wallach insists his clients are innocent and they both pleaded not guilty to the charge of extortion.

Los Angeles Police detective, Tracey Benjamin, said the video was a continuous rant of Walker accusing Wonder of being the cause of the issues in his life.

All through the court session, Stevie Wonder was referred to by his real name, Stevland Morris.

Stevie Wonder says he was hurt by his cousin’s allegations and said he had to pay the demanded down-payment because the public will presume his allegations are true if the video somehow turned out in the media. He said he paid so as to protect himself and his family from unnecessary embarrassment.

Walker and Diaz are both to return to court on July 26 for an arraignment hearing.