Shania Twain's accused stalker admits guilt in outburst
The Ontario man accused of stalking Shania Twain stunned a courtroom on Thursday in Toronto, calling out to the singer while she testified via video link and announcing that he would change his plea to guilty.
John Palumbo, a former Ottawa physician who has been in and out of psychiatric care since the 1990s, is accused of breaching a court order in March to stay 500 metres away from Twain, one of Canada's biggest celebrities.
But as the country-pop superstar began to speak via video link at Palumbo's trial in Old City Hall, she was interrupted by the accused, who rose from the prisoner's box and shouted out her real name.
"Eileen, you can trust me. I'm going to plead guilty," he blurted out.
Then he said in a quieter voice, to the judge: "I've been offended too much, your honour."
Palumbo, 51, was jailed on March 27 after he was arrested at Toronto's Air Canada Centre during an appearance by Twain at the Juno Awards. He was charged with criminal harassment and has been held in custody since.
The courts have noted that Palumbo has demonstrated an obsession with the recording star, sending Twain dozens of love letters and flowers over the years, and even showing up outside her grandmother's funeral and several times outside her cottage in Ontario's Muskoka region.
Twain was granted permission to testify by video rather than appear in person, after the Crown attorney made an application last month.
Palumbo's ex-wife, Christel Palumbo, told Postmedia News her ex-husband had created a "shrine" for Twain in his Ottawa home following their separation, and that she discovered 30 CDs filled with images of Twain, along with videotapes documenting Twain's various televised appearances.
The material was handed over to investigators.
The defence had argued that Palumbo has never exhibited harmful or threatening behaviour, and that his actions have been merely an expression of his adoration for the superstar.
