The story of the Carmel Valley couple victimized in a smear campaign launched by the former "Mother of the Year" who wanted to buy their home is featured in People magazine.
Jerry Rice and Janice Ruhter spoke out at the sentencing hearing for Kathy Rowe, who admitted to felony stalking charges in November.
Rowe's actions included posting an online advertisement inviting men for a "Carmel Valley Freak Show" at the couple's address.
Now, the couple is sharing their story with the popular magazine, explaining how they were embarrassed and apologizing as they met their new neighbors.
That's because Rowe carried out a series of perverse pranks on them because she was jealous they got the house she wanted.
"It was more to give the connotation that they were wild or partiers," Rowe told People magazine in this week's edition.
Two men actually responded to the ad, and one showed up at the Carmel Valley home.
U.S. & World
Rowe also sent over $1,000 worth of unsolicited magazines and books to the victims’ home, posted an online ad for a high school New Year’s Eve party and advertised a free Mexican fireworks giveaway on the Fourth of July at the home. She also sent Valentine’s Day cards in Rice’s name to other women in the neighborhood, listed the house for sale and asked religious groups to visit, the complaint said.
The 53-year-old's defense attorney says mounting stress over caring for a sick husband and disabled daughter pushed Rowe, who was named one of “San Diego’s 50 Best Moms” in 2006 by Time Warner Cable, to snap in an unusual way.
The judge sentenced her to a year of home electronic surveillance and five years’ probation.
Meantime, Rice and Ruhter are undergoing counseling and on medication as a result of Rowe's actions.
Rice said he has been diagnosed with PTSD.
Read more about the couple in this article in People.
