Shania Twain stalker out

Shania Twain stalker out

Toronto — A former Ottawa doctor who admitted to stalking country music singer Shania Twain will learn his fate in a Toronto courtroom Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Giovanni (John) Palumbo pled guilty to one charge of criminal harassment and one charge of breach of recognizance.


The surprise plea came after a day and a half of live video-link testimony from Twain, who told the court that Palumbo made her fear for her safety with his obsessive love letters and because Twain found him waiting for her outside her summer cottage in Ontario's Muskoka region on a number of occasions.

The singer also admitted that she felt compassion for the 51-year-old, who has a history of mental issues.

Following the plea, Ontario Justice Richard Schneider ordered that Palumbo undergo a psychiatric exam in his hometown of Ottawa before returning to court.

If he is found mentally sound, he could be sentenced to jail time Tuesday.

If he is declared not criminally responsible for his actions, he will be sent to a mental health facility.

During the trial, Palumbo, who was once a successful surgeon, told the court that he was madly in love with Twain and that her fears were a misunderstanding.

In November 2009, he had been arrested on similar charges related to Twain but those were withdrawn when she declined to appear in Ottawa court to testify against him.