Three Years for Shania Twain's Stalker
Country diva Shania Twain could rest easy for a while. Her stalker has been recently released from jail, but was apprehended with three years of probation.
Former Ottawa doctor Giovanni Palumbo, pleaded guilty to criminal harassment of Twain in September, and has been in criminal custody in Toronto since March.
The presiding judge sentenced Palumbo with probation for three years, and ordered him to stay in treatment or counseling. He is not allowed to be within half a kilometer of Twain or to have any contact and communication with the singer.
Palumbo landed himself in hot water after sending countless love letters to the songstress, showing up repeatedly at her Ontario residence, and being seen uninvited at her grandmother's funeral. These led to Twain calling for a restraining order on the former doctor.
He has been in custody since breaking the restraining order to attend the Juno Awards where Twain was being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Dr. Helen Ward, who assessed Palumbo, testified on Tuesday, citing her discovery that the alleged stalker has a bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Palumbo was not happy with the diagnosis, shouting angrily at court.
"I'm not narcissistic, I agree you're all superior to me," he shouted as Ward was testifying.
His frequent outbursts during court hearings are not helping his case, and defense lawyer Gary Barnes notes his client's condition had worsened over his incarceration.
Palumbo initially pleaded not guilty for harrasment, until Twain herself testified in October through video link, describing her fear and anxiety caused by the unwanted suitor.
"I'm torn emotionally because I have compassion for anybody who's reaching out in need - fans often do that. I feel very sad and awkward having to go through these very personal matters with Mr. Palumbo because it's such an invasion of his privacy," Twain said in her testimony.
"I still have the fear and anxiety of being contacted in the future by Mr. Palumbo. And I do want it to stop," she added.
Lawyers of Palumbo said her testimony have made him repentant enough to change his plea to guilty.
"He's devastated that she's afraid. He never intended for her to fear at all - the absolute opposite. He loves her," a representative disclosed.