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Shawn Johnson Stalker Case: Florida Man Found Guilty
Robert O'Ryan faces life in a mental institution if found to be insane.
June 11, 2010— -- A judge has found a Florida man guilty of stalking Olympic gold medalist and "Dancing with the Stars" champion Shawn Johnson.
The man, Robert O'Ryan, 36, was arrested on 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."
Today, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor found O'Ryan guilty of felony stalking and burglary charges and two misdemeanor concealed weapons violations. The verdict came after four days of testimony and evidence.
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."
O'Ryan had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge ordered that he undergo a mental evaluation.
He could get close to six years in state prison if he is found to be sane or, potentially, the rest of his life in a mental hospital if he is found insane.
Johnson came face-to-face with O'Ryan in the courtroom Thursday morning, describing how she was frightened by the ordeal.
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 altered her normal routine -- changing vehicles, hotels and cancelling all personal appearances.
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