MIAMI -- A man accused of stalking tennis star Anna
Kournikova was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial Wednesday
by a judge, who removed him from a hearing because of repeated
disruptions.
William Lepeska will be treated at a restrictive mental facility
in Florida for the next six months under the order by Circuit Judge
Diane Ward. If he shows sufficient improvement, Lepeska could then
be tried on charges stemming from his alleged attempts to contact
Kournikova in person, by mail and the Internet.
"His illness is very legitimate," Ward said.
If he does stand trial, Lepeska faces a possible sentence of 30
years in prison on charges of battery on police officers, resisting
arrest and burglary.
Lepeska was removed from the courtroom after repeatedly and
loudly shuffling papers and speaking in a disjointed and fragmented
way. Two psychiatrists and one psychologist who examined the
40-year-old man in jail testified that he exhibited similar
behavior then as well and that he is not taking any medication for
mental illness.
"Everything is part of a conspiracy where he's been wronged,"
said psychologist Jethro Toomer. "He sees himself as a victim."
Lepeska, who once stabbed a sleeping college student in
Wisconsin, was arrested Jan. 30 after swimming nude across Biscayne
Bay in an attempt to reach Kournikova's home on Sunset Island. He
wound up on the pool deck of the wrong house and was yelling
"Anna! Save me!" when officers took him into custody.
At a previous court hearing, Kournikova said she has hired
bodyguards and added security to her home since that episode. She
also said Lepeska has sent her sexually explicit e-mails and
letters. The 23-year-old player did not attend Wednesday's hearing.