Shawn Johnson, Alleged Stalker Appear in Courtroom
Trial begins for man accused of stalking 'Dancing With the Stars' champ.
LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2010— -- Olympic gold medalist and "Dancing with the Stars" champion Shawn Johnson came face-to-face with her accused stalker in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday morning, describing how she was frightened by the whole ordeal.
Robert O'Ryan, 36, was arrested March 23, 2009 after driving from Florida and allegedly jumping over a fence at the television studio where Johnson was preparing for an episode of "Dancing With the Stars."
Police searched O'Ryan's car and found two loaded guns, duct tape, a wooden club and handwritten poetry by O'Ryan to Johnson. In one passage, O'Ryan wrote "no matter what happens I will always love you."
Prosecutor Wendy Segal asked the 18-year-old Johnson if she knew O'Ryan and how she felt after reading some of the poetry.
"I didn't know him. He was a stranger to me. To see someone with that kind of obsession made me really scared," Johnson said.
Johnson -- who said she was "very nervous" on the stand -- testified that she considered quitting "Dancing With the Stars" early and going home to Iowa after the incident.
"I heard he'd said he was coming to L.A. to marry me, that I was the mother of his unborn children," Johnson said.
Johnson and her parents eventually decided to continue on "Dancing with the Stars" and instead alter her normal routine -- changing vehicles, hotels and cancelling all personal appearances.
O'Ryan is facing two felony counts -- one count of stalking and another for burglary after allegedly jumping over the studio fence. He faces two misdemeanors for carrying a loaded shotgun and .45 caliber handgun in his car.
He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and has waived a jury trial. If he is convicted, the judge hearing the case will decide whether O'Ryan is legally insane.
O'Ryan had no visible reaction when Johnson walked into the courtroom. Johnson testified for about 24 minutes before she was dismissed by the judge.
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