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Eden Prairie Man, 56, Accused Of Stalking Local Radio Host

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We're learning more about the man accused of stalking a popular Twin Cities radio host, causing her to take a leave of absence.

On Wednesday, Mary Lucia from The Current posted a blog on the station's website saying she's been the victim of a stalker for the last year.

Prosecutors have charged an Eden Prairie man in the case. His trial is set to begin next week.

On Thursday, WCCO-TV took a look at what court documents reveal.

In a letter to her fans, Mary Lucia describes how a stranger has tormented her.

"This has been a tough year for me," she said. "I have been stalked, by someone I do not know, at both work and home."

She added: "My life over the last year has involved a series of restraining orders, seemingly endless calls to 911."

Police say 56-year-old Patrick Henry Kelly of Eden Prairie is the accused stalker.

He's now faces a felony charge.

A search warrant of his home reveals his fascination with Lucia seemed to begin after he contacted her about his dead dog and she responded sympathetically.

In her letter to listeners, Lucia wrote: "I've been constantly looking over my shoulder, dead-bolting doors, and jumping when someone rings my doorbell."

The criminal complaint filed by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office reveals Kelly violated a restraining order last summer and repeatedly showed up at Lucia's house in Minneapolis.

He left letters and flowers at her door step. He sent letters in the mail stating, "I wake up thinking about you and repeat before bed. This feeling is so real to me."

The restraining order states Kelly even showed up at the radio station where Lucia works in downtown St. Paul, leaving gifts like flowers, candy and sausages.
He emailed her and left voice mail messages, despite her repeated efforts to make all contact stop.

The felony charge of stalking means that if he's found guilty, Kelly could go to prison for up to 10 years and possibly pay a fine.

His trial starts next Tuesday.

Mary Lucia says she does plan to return to work at The Current, but for now she's taking time off to deal with this issue.

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