Mr Kappos said he felt "an unexplained closeness" to Crow

Ambrose Kappos, 38, was accused of pursuing Crow from July 2002 until his arrest in October 2003 at one of her shows at a New York City concert hall.

He had faced up to seven years in prison, if convicted.

Mr Kappos said outside court his behaviour was caused by unhappy marriages, an infatuation with Crow and other emotional difficulties.

The jury rejected the prosecution's contention that Ambrose Kappos had a dangerous obsession with Crow after less than three hours of deliberations.

Mr Kappos was arrested in October 2003 after allegedly breaking into a Manhattan venue where the singer was rehearsing.

'Spiritual twin'

He had previously contacted her family to try and arrange a date with the singer, claiming he was her "spiritual twin".

"I was alarmed, more than anything else. I was really nervous about it," Crow testified in court last week.

However she added, under cross examination, that Mr Kappos had not contacted her personally or threatened her.

Mr Kappos, who was discharged from the Navy for medical reasons in June 2003 after 16 years of service, looked relieved as he spoke to reporters outside Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday.

"This could have been better handled if it was recognised for what it was - an honourable man trying to court a good woman," he said.