A woman who stalked Denver veterinarian and comedian Kevin Fitzgerald for five years was given 18 months of probation Friday.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Vicki Lynn Tenney, 46, pleaded guilty to violating a restraining order, a misdemeanor, and was given probation by Denver District Judge Shelley Gilman.
Tenney was enamored with Fitzgerald, who practices at the Alameda East Veterinary Clinic and appeared regularly on cable TV’s “Emergency Vets.” He’s also a stand-up comic.
A resident of West Virginia, Tenney wrote hundreds of letters to Fitzgerald. The vet at first thought they were harmless. But in 2002, she moved to Denver. At one point, the veterinarian received a call from a Denver furniture store saying his wife had selected a couch and that he needed to pay for it. Fitzgerald discovered Tenney had claimed to be his wife.
Then, investigators allege, in 2004, Tenney called Fitzgerald and said, “I’m gonna cut you” and “I’m gonna kill you.” Tenney also said she had bought a casket for him.
In January, Tenney was found incompetent to be tried and was ordered into treatment.
Recently, doctors said she could stand trial. But prosecutor Michelle Amico said that given the fact the case has been in the courts almost two years and Tenney appears to be much better, the disposition was appropriate.
Under the sentence, Tenney is to receive mental health treatment and stay away from Fitzgerald and his clinic.
