Shania Twain’s Stalker Appeals Guilty Plea

It was just a few months ago that Giovanni "John" Palumbo pled guilty to charges of criminal harassment of Shania Twain. Now, the Ottawa, Canada-based doctor wants his name cleared. According to the Toronto Sun, Palumbo is appealing his guilty plea and sentence for stalking the country superstar, in a move psychiatrists tell the newspaper is an effort to see her again in person, albeit in a courtroom.

The 51-year-old doctor is asking for either an acquittal or a new trial. He filed his appeal last week, stating "the learned trial judge erred in accepting my plea of guilty." Palumbo was arrested at the Juno Awards in March, after showing up to see Shania despite a restraining order forbidding him to be anywhere near the star. He spent seven months in jail before being released Nov. 15. Palumbo is now serving three years probation and is still under strict legal orders to have no contact with Shania, and to stay more than a half kilometer (about 1/3 of a mile) away from the singer and her family.

Shania faced Palumbo in court back in September, appearing via video to testify against him. She told the court of receiving large stacks of love letters from him, which made her "feel uncomfortable and a little bit sad, awkward," she said (quote via the Vancouver Sun). "I don't consider him a fan; I consider him a man who is pursuing me inappropriately."

After hearing the singer's testimony, Palumbo changed his plea to guilty, turning to Shania in court and addressing her by her given name. "Eilleen, you can trust me," he said. "I am going to plead guilty ... I've been offended too much."

Palumbo's medical license has been suspended, pending a hearing with the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons. With a documented 20-year history of mental illness, he has been officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.