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The whack job could get out on bail tomorrow.

Twain stalking case delayed, after report finds doctor criminally responsible

The report, which found the Shania Twain stalker to be criminally responsible for harassing the five time Grammy award winner, has been called into question.

During his time on the witness stand Palumbo became very agitated and denied several points asserted by Crown Attorney John Flaherty.

At one time Palumbo praised “the Creator” during a rambling answer.

He also denied suggestions that he kept trying to see Twain even though he knew she was afraid of him because of the intensity of his love letters and the fact that he appeared a her Muskoka cottage in 2009.

Palumbo testified Tuesday that he assumed Twain wasn't receiving the letters and sought to meet her in person to hear for himself.

He also said he had suspicions that Twain's handlers and security detail were interfering and he wasn't sure of Twain's personal feelings toward him.

A bail hearing has been called for Wednesday morning so Palumbo can be released while he awaits the resumption of his sentencing hearing.

“I don't have to stay in a shelter,” Palumbo said to the judge. “I have cash and a credit card.”

Earlier Palumbo testified that he was housed with two “sexual deviants” at the Don Jail and they would watch him as he urinated into the toilet, making him feel “tormented.”

Ontario court Justice Richard Schneider agreed with defence attorney Gary Barnes that a bail hearing be expedited since the sentencing hearing may not continue for several weeks until they find out when Dr. Helen Ward can be called to testify.

Barnes is seeking a penalty of time served, which is about seven months.

The Crown proposes a conditional sentence of a further five months of house arrest to be followed by probation.

Palumbo, a 51-year-old Ottawa doctor with a history of mental illness, initially pleaded not guilty to criminal harassment and to breaching a court order to stay away from Twain.

However, he changed his pleas during a trial in September after the country music superstar testified against him in a Toronto court via videolink from Europe.

The September trial marked the first time Palumbo had heard directly from Twain that she was afraid of his letters and advances, and wanted him to stop.

“I love my fans and my fans love me but we don’t invite each other out on dates,” the 46-year-old entertainer testified. “He’s gone on to the next stage of our relationship and I haven’t even begun it. It was a one-way communication. It’s strange. That alarms me.”

Palumbo was arrested March 27 after being spotted in the crowd at the Air Canada Centre, where Twain was attending the Juno Awards.

Toronto Star

Accused Shania Twain stalker finally takes the stand

By Michele Mandel,Toronto Sun
October 18, 2011 08:28 PM EDT

TORONTO - We learned many bizarre things from Shania Twain’s stalker when he finally took the stand for the first time.

Often condescending, animated and articulate, John Palumbo insisted that he wasn’t some garden variety stalker but a Lamborghini Countach - driving intellectual with “so many wonderful things in common” with Shania Twain that it was divine.

The former Ottawa surgeon thought she just wasn’t responding to his amorous advances because her handlers were jealous of all the “Creator” had given him and were keeping them apart.

Palumbo also complained that his jail conditions are so especially bad for an “intellectual” : he must often sleep on the floor; his toilet is so full of water that his genitals get wet when he uses it; and his two cellmates are sexual deviants who torment him by watching him go to the bathroom.

But resisting a plea deal was worth it, he said, because he was finally able to learn the hard truth from Twain herself that they weren’t meant to be together after all.

In his trademark round glasses and long, slicked back grey hair, the poor delusional former surgeon gave such rambling, contradictory and grandiose answers at his sentencing hearing that the judge finally agreed to call a halt to the proceeding and hear directly from the Ottawa psychiatrist who examined him and had deemed him mentally sound for sentencing.

Faced with yet another delay after Palumbo has already spent more than six months in jail, Justice Richard Schneider will hold a bail hearing Wednesday morning to determine if he can be released until Dr. Helen Ward can attend his next court date.

“Maybe he can stay in a shelter,” defence lawyer Gary Barnes urged the judge. “Anything’s better than here.”

Palumbo, 51, has been in jail ever since his arrest March 27 at the Air Canada Centre wearing a Twain T-shirt and clutching a card professing his undying love--just as he was outfitted the last time he was charged with criminal harassment in November 2009.

He had maintained his innocence until the second day of his trial last month, when he suddenly decided to plead guilty to criminal harassment and breaching a previous court order to stay away from Twain after the country superstar testified from an undisclosed location that she was frightened by his advances.

His sentencing hearing began Tuesday and it all started off well enough with Palumbo promising that he’s now got the message. His lawyer indicated that he’d be asking for time served, while prosecutor John Flaherty said he’d seek a five-month conditional sentence.

But midway through his cross-examination of the suspended doctor, Flaherty interrupted the hearing to say the nature of Palumbo’s increasingly odd answers - he spoke often about his genitalia and the prison toilet - made him question whether he was really mentally fit.

But if the doc is crazy, he’s crazy like a fox.

For more than two years he’s wanted Twain to notice him, to speak to him, to hear his words of love.

And after years of unrequited love letters, flowers, using the roads and waterways to hang outside her Muskoka cottage and finally travelling to the Junos to see her, the obsessed fan finally got what others can only dream about - even if it meant having to spend more than six months in a crowded, humiliating jail cell to get it.

Thanks to Ontario taxpayers, he managed to get the famous object of his misplaced affection delivered before him - at least, via videolink - and he was finally able to address her directly, shouting, “Eileen, you can trust me, I’m going to plead guilty.”

Palumbo had to find out for himself that she wasn’t interested in their romance, he explained, and we generously made that happen. “It’s sad that it took so much resources from the justice system to find that out,” the wily stalker said, “but there was no other way.”

Now he thinks he should be freed and set on his way - though the only address he could give the court was the Royal York Hotel.

“You can trust me there’s no way I would even try to contact her or disturb her,” Palumbo assured the judge.

But then, we’ve heard that before.

Toronto Sun

October 19, 2011

TORONTO (Associated Press) — A former doctor who admitted that he stalked Canadian country star Shania Twain had yet another outburst on Wednesday after he was denied bail.

A judge "quite reluctantly" denied Giovanni (John) Palumbo's request to be freed while he awaits his next court date on Nov. 15, citing an insufficient release plan.

After Justice Richard Schneider reached that conclusion, Palumbo — who has been an animated presence throughout his trial, twice previously interrupting Twain's video testimony with loud protestations — swore under his breath before shouting at the court.

"You know you're all very sick, you really are — it's so sad," Palumbo said. "Have fun, because I'm going to keep having fun, wherever I am. ... What a bunch of psychopaths. Woo hoo.

"Shame, shame, shame. Shame on all of you!"

Last month, Palumbo pleaded guilty to criminal harassment and one count of failure to comply with a court order. He pleaded guilty after listening to testimony from Twain.

Prosecution lawyer John Flaherty requested at the time that Palumbo undergo a psychiatric evaluation before sentencing. While Dr. Helen Ward's report concluded that Palumbo suffers from bipolar disorder and a narcissistic personality disorder, she also deemed him criminally responsible for his actions.

But after Palumbo testified earlier this week, Flaherty asked for further clarity on the evaluation and Schneider agreed it was necessary. Ward will testify on Nov. 15, and Palumbo could face sentencing.

Last month, Twain testified via video link and described the numerous lovelorn letters Palumbo had mailed to her residences in Ontario and Switzerland, and discussed the feelings of fear and vulnerability conjured by his unwanted visits.

He was seen at her family cottage, her grandmother's funeral and at the Juno Awards in March, where he was arrested. He's remained in custody since then.

A day after Palumbo told court about the uncomfortable conditions he has endured in jail, Schneider expressed some regret in extending his incarceration.

Defense lawyer Gary Barnes had proposed that Palumbo would return to his last residence, Toronto's Royal York hotel. He added that Palumbo would abstain from contacting Twain and would agree to pursue any treatment plans deemed necessary by the court.

However, no one in Palumbo's family volunteered to care for him and Schneider said "some degree of supervision" might have been necessary for his release.

"Nobody at this juncture wants to see Mr. Palumbo in custody unless it's demonstrably necessary," Schneider said, before adding that he didn't think his lawyer's proposed plan would "mitigate the risk he poses."

The Associated Press

Psychiatrist to testify at hearing for Shania Twain stalker

By Linda Nguyen, Postmedia News
November 14, 2011 5:06 PM

TORONTO — A psychiatrist who diagnosed a former Ottawa doctor as likely suffering from mental illness — but still found he could be held criminally responsible for stalking Canadian country singer Shania Twain — is expected take the stand Tuesday.

Dr. Helen Ward, from the Royal Ottawa Hospital, was asked last month to testify in a Toronto courtroom about her recent court-mandated psychiatric assessment of Giovanni (John) Palumbo, 51.

Last month, a judge denied bail to Palumbo until Ward could be questioned about whether she believed he was mentally fit.

In her report, which was referenced in court during the sentencing hearing, Ward determined that Palumbo was aware of his actions but may suffer from a bi-polar disorder combined with a narcissistic disorder.

Palumbo has been in police custody since his arrest on March 27 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. He was spotted in the crowd wearing a Shania Twain T-shirt and clutching a book about the songwriter at the Juno Awards, where she was being honoured.

He had been prohibited from going to Toronto and being within 500 yards of the songstress.

On Sept. 30, the former surgeon pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a court order and criminal harassment following a day-and-half of live video testimony from Twain, who told the court Palumbo made her fear for her and her family's safety.

Palumbo admitted to sending her numerous love letters, flowers to her home in Switzerland and being near the driveway and lake of her Ontario cottage where she vacationed in the summer.

He told the court that he was in love and believed he and the married singer were perfect for each other. Palumbo said he didn't realize he was scaring her because she had never responded to any of his letters.

He denied suffering from mental illness but agreed to go on medication and receive treatment if it mandated by the court.

As he was handcuffed during his last appearance on Oct. 19, he yelled "Shame!" at the judge and everyone in the courtroom.

"You're not going to make me schizophrenic. You're not going to make me crazy," he shouted after learning he wasn't going to be released from prison that day. "Are we done here? What a bunch of psychopaths. Woo-hoo!''

The Crown believes Palumbo may pose a safety risk to Twain if he were granted bail. His defence attorney said his client has already served more than enough time for his crimes.

This isn't the first time he has faced charges in relation to Twain, 46.

He was arrested in November 2009 in Ottawa but the charges were withdrawn when the singer declined to appear to testify against him.

Canada.com

They let the whacko out!

Twain stalker sentenced to 3 years probation

ctvtoronto.ca
Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011 4:50 PM ET

The man who pleaded guilty to stalking country music songstress Shania Twain was sentenced on Tuesday to three years probation after serving nearly eight months in prison.

Giovanni (John) Palumbo, a former Ottawa doctor, pleaded guilty in September to failing to comply with a court order and criminal harassment of the country music singer.

Palumbo, who has been in custody in Toronto since March, recently completed a three-week psychiatric assessment.

Judge Richard Schneider on Tuesday also ordered Palumbo to stay in treatment and counselling, not be within half a kilometre of any place where the singer is known to be, and to not have any contact or direct or indirect communication with Twain.

Palumbo's sentencing was delayed last month after the Crown decided that they want the doctor who assessed Palumbo to take the stand.

Dr. Helen Ward testified earlier on Tuesday that a psychiatric review found Palumbo is living with a bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.

Palumbo interrupted her testimony on Tuesday by shouting: "I'm not narcissistic, I agree you're all superior to me."

Palumbo has caused several delays with shouting outbursts while in court.

During previous court appearances, Palumbo stated he would plead guilty as he attempted to speak directly to Twain as she testified through a video feed.

He also declared that everyone in the courtroom was "a bunch of psychopaths" and shouted "shame" at the judge when he was denied bail.

Palumbo was arrested in March for allegedly breaking a restraining order by attending the Juno Awards where Twain was being entered into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Prior to that incident, Twain had placed a restraining order against Palumbo for sending her hundreds of letters and showing up at her Muskoka cottage.

Defence lawyers wanted Palumbo to be credited for the time he's served in custody.

The Crown, on the other hand, was pushing for a five-month conditional sentence and probation.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111115/shania-twain-stalker-sentencing-111115/20111115/

Shania Twain’s stalker released

By Curtis Rush - Police Reporter
November 15, 2011

Giovanni (John) Palumbo is a free man, but there appears to be no joy in that freedom.

Palumbo, who had served 7-1/2 months in the Don Jail on a criminal harassment charge and breaching a court order to stay away from country music star Shania Twain, was sentenced to time served and given three years’ probation Tuesday at Old City Hall court.

Twain had testified in September in a video link that she feared his advances, letters and flowers that she received in 2009.

At a trial in Ottawa earlier this year, the charges were thrown out when Twain, 46, did not appear in court to testify.

When she testified last month by video link against Palumbo, describing in detail his letters and her fear of him, Palumbo, 51, changed his plea to guilty.

In court Tuesday, Palumbo looked pale, gaunt, disheveled and was unshaven.

During testimony, he hung his head and even took to lying on the bench in the prisoner’s box, curling up in a fetal position.

Even when freed at the end of the day, there was no joy on his face.

Asked by the judge if he wanted to say something, Palumbo said, “No” and kept his head bowed.

This was a bit of a departure from earlier when he stood and shouted in the courtroom, questioning testimony.

A police officer described arresting him March 27 at the Air Canada Centre and a mental health expert, Dr. Helen Ward, described Palumbo as having narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar disorder.

However, based on Ward’s assessment that he wasn’t delusional, the Crown failed to convince the judge that Palumbo should be found not criminally responsible and sent to a mental health facility.

His lawyer Gary Barnes said Palumbo has been beaten down by having to spend so much time in Don Jail.

“It’s an awful place to be,” Barnes told reporters outside court. Barnes said the jail is a “holding place” and not a rehabilitation centre.

Palumbo was not given any medication in the jail, Barnes said.

The former doctor was arrested at the Air Canada Centre, where he had come to see Twain win an award at the Juno Awards.

He had been under a court order to stay away from Twain when the singer’s security team saw him in the crowd and alerted police.

At the time, he was carrying a card with a message that he had intended to give to Twain and he was charged with criminal harassment.

Const. Mike Jander, the arresting officer that night, testified that he grabbed Palumbo by the arm and escorted him out against Palumbo’s protests.

“He said, ‘Please don’t do this. Please. I need to speak to Shania,’” Jander testified.

Palumbo added: “I know I’m not supposed to be in Toronto, but I need to see Shania,” the officer testified.

Palumbo stood and protested that he did not say that.

The judge asked Palumbo to restrain himself in the courtroom and mostly he did. However, at other times, Palumbo was allowed to make his protests and court carried on.

At no time, court heard, did Palumbo show any aggressive behaviour to Twain in the past or threaten to harm her.

Now the question is where will Palumbo go? At his last bail hearing, court heard that his last residence was the Royal York Hotel, where he stayed during the Juno Awards ceremony.

“He’s going to have to get on with his life and find a place to live and start to establish himself,” Barnes said.

Beyond that, it’s not clear what will happen to Palumbo, but Barnes told court, the former assistant surgeon has a long road back.

Earlier, he fought strongly to oppose an application by Crown Attorney John Flaherty to have a second assessment done on Palumbo.

“This has to end sometime,” Barnes told the judge. “It’s my submission that this should end now.”

The judge agreed.

Before he began an obsession with Twain, he had been practising at an Ottawa hospital, living in a nice house with a family and driving a Lamborghini.

In the past few years, since he began his obsession, he has lost his family, his licence to practice medicine and now he is not permitted to come within a half kilometre of Twain or have any communication with her or her family.

Under the release order, he is not even entitled to visit the Deerhurst Resort, which is close to Twain’s summer home.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1087462--shania-twain-s-stalker-released

Shania stalker appeals guilty plea

By Sam Pazzano, Toronto Sun
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 05:15 PM EST  

John Palumbo leaves Old City Hall court in Toronto
last month after being sentenced to time served
for criminally harassing Shania Twain. Palumbo
ow wants to revoke his guilty plea. (ERNEST DOROSZUK/Toronto Sun)

TORONTO - Lovestruck Ottawa doctor Giovanni “John” Palumbo is appealing his guilty plea and sentence for stalking Shania Twain, possibly in a last-ditch bid to legally “see” her again in a Toronto courtroom.

Palumbo, 51, filed appeal documents last week, stating “the learned trial judge erred in accepting my plea of guilty” and sentencing him to a suspended sentence and three years probation on top of 7.5 months of time already served.

Palumbo pleaded guilty to criminal harassment and fail to comply with a recognizance for attending the Junos in Toronto where Twain appeared in March.

The country superstar appeared via closed circuit TV to testify at his trial in September. After hearing her testify, Palumbo abruptly changed his plea to guilty and was then sentenced on Nov. 15 by Justice Richard Schneider.

Palumbo’ court documents filed at the Superior Court of Ontario indicates he wants either an acquittal or a new trial.

“This new trial would allow him to have Shania Twain back in his life as it did in the last trial,” said veteran defence lawyer Cynthia Fromstein, who isn’t his counsel but has practised for more than 25 years.

“It’s a way of legitimately keeping her in his life in their non-existent relationship, except in his mind,” she said in an interview.

She noted that striking a guilty plea isn’t easy.

“Judges conduct plea inquiries before hand, asking the accused if they understand that they are giving up their right to a trial and that no one is forcing you to plead guilty,” said Fromstein.

Another defence lawyer said Schneider, who regularly presides over mental health court in Toronto and has a wealth of experience in the field, “is the best judge for this sort of case.”

Palumbo’s obsession with Twain has cost him almost eight months of freedom and his $250,000-a-year job as a surgical assistant in Ottawa.

His medical licence was suspended in May this year and the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons will hold a fitness to practice committee hearing at an undetermined future date, said senior communications co-ordinator Kathryn Clarke. The hearings, which are closed to the public, could result in penalties ranging from a continued suspension, reinstatement with conditions or the permanent loss of his licence.

Dr. Helen Ward, the Ottawa forensic psychiatrist who treated the disgraced doctor between May 2010 and March 2011, has diagnosed Palumbo with bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder in several court-ordered assessments.

She said that he knew exactly what he was doing but just didn’t care.

Mental illness has plagued Palumbo over the past 20 years, starting during a London, Ont., residency, where he returned to Ottawa in 1991 and was admitted to hospital as a patient.

Depressed and suicidal, he reacted poorly to anti-depressants but was discharged within three days, and then improved.

He was back in hospital in the summer of 1992.

Toronto Sun