U student is charged in post-firing rant at KSTP

The former intern is accused of chasing and threatening a producer, and breaking a window.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

Last update: November 19, 2008 - 10:49 PM

Jennifer Nicole Anato-Mensah's alleged antics probably would have been a better fit on MTV's "Punk'd!" than they turned out to be in a TV station's newsroom.

The 21-year-old University of Minnesota student is accused of chasing after an executive producer at KSTP-TV, screaming obscenities after she was fired as an intern at Channel 5. She also kicked out and shattered a window in a conference room door in her quest to get at the woman she believed had scorned her, charges say.

Anato-Mensah of Blaine has been charged in Ramsey County District Court with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 13 incident. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 30.

According to the criminal complaint, St. Paul police were called to the station at 3415 University Av. on a report of an out-of-control employee.

Danielle Prenevost, an executive producer of KSTP's newscasts, said Anato-Mensah had started yelling threats and obscenities at Prenevost when she told the intern she was fired.

Anato-Mensah told Prenevost, "You don't know where I'm from, I'll mess you up . . .," the complaint said.

Prenevost tried to walk away, but Anato-Mensah followed her. A male employee stepped between the two, and Prenevost went into a nearby conference room while the male tried to get Anato-Mensah to calm down and clean out her desk.

But Anato-Mensah ran to the conference room and kicked at the glass door, breaking it. She had to be restrained to keep her from entering the conference room, the complaint said. The cost of repairing the window was $150, the document said.

Pat Pheifer • 651-298-1551

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