The man who tried to jump over a fence at CBS Studios last year to meet Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson pleaded not guilty on Monday to one felony count each of stalking and commercial burglary, along with two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a city.
According to the Beverly Hills Courier, suspect Robert Michael O'Ryan drove from Florida to Los Angeles while Shawn Johnson was on Dancing With the Stars in hopes of being able to meet and marry the Olympic gold medal winner. Court documents stated that authorities found a loaded shotgun, knife, and sharpening stone in the suspect's vehicle, along with a wooden club, duct tape, 22 zip ties, a bulletproof vest and love letters to Shawn Johnson.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor heard evidence against Robert O'Ryan on Tuesday, but Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Judith Greenberg plans to defend the man by using an insanity defense. She claims that her client experienced auditory hallucinations, which compelled the man to drive to Los Angeles.
In court, the defense attorney said that there was no evidence that Robert O'Ryan "stalked Ms. Shawn Johnson' and no proof that he intended to harm Johnson after hopping a fence at CBS Studios."
If the defendant is found guilty of the criminal charges, he could face up to three years and eight months in state prison. If he is found not guilty, but insane, he could be ordered to spend the rest of his life in a mental hospital. With help from his Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, he hopes to keep his criminal record clean and avoid prison.
Related Resources:
- California Stalking Laws (FindLaw)
- Find a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- Felony Stalking (FindLaw Answers)
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