Woman who allegedly stalked Tony Stewart to receive mental health treatment before trial

Nick Bromberg
·College football and motorsports writer

The woman accused of stalking three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has been ordered to receive mental health treatment before she faces a potential trial in the case.

Mary Russell, 68, was deemed not competent to stand trial on Tuesday in a Marion County, Indiana, court. Russell allegedly tried to call Stewart and his family hundreds of times and even contacted his sponsor. She’s also accused of trying to tell authorities that Stewart was a drug mule.

Russell, who lives in Florida, has been in custody in an Indiana jail since her arrest. She was charged with stalking, terroristic mischief and intimidation in November. She said she’s been suffering after-effects from a January fall in the shower.

From Indianapolis’ ABC 6:

“I have blurred vision in my left eye where I see triple images out that eye now,” Russell wrote. “I have to sit propped up to sleep and cannot lay my head down without terrible pain. As a result of the fall, I have some memory loss and suffer from lack of sleep.”

The court also received a letter, postmarked Jan. 26, from other inmates in Russell’s cellblock describing ongoing health issues.

“She has become a liability not only for the staff here but the inmates in the block as well,” the letter, which was signed by 22 other inmates, says. “We have taken on the responsibility of making sure she eats, bathes, etc. and that she is not along when doing so.”

Russell’s attorney said at the pre-trial meeting Tuesday the case will continue after Russell completes her mental health treatments. She allegedly started harassing Stewart and his family and associates after she said he declined to sign an autograph for her.

Stewart retired from Cup Series competition after the 2016 season and is the co-owner of four-car powerhouse Stewart-Haas Racing.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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