Man accused of Kournikova stalking ruled unfit for trial

A man accused of stalking tennis star Anna Kournikova has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial 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," psychologist Jethro Toomer said. "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.