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.
Isn't it sort of a "given" that if you're a stalker that you're a nut job?
He sees himself as the victim? How about giving the guy some medication and 'splaining it to him....
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:50 pm Posts: 3955 Location: Leaving Here
GrimmaceXX wrote:
stalking is a crime?
Yes, it is.
Stabbing someone is as well, last time I checked.
Nevertheless, the article says:
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.
I just don't like the sound of the "if he stands trial", after he stabbed someone.
No clue as to why the guy isn't (or seems to not be) medicated for his illness (something to subdue the court behavior), unless they are purposefully not medicating him so that he doesn't have to stand trial.
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:31 am Posts: 2622 Location: South of Boston, North of Stoughton
cltaylor12 wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
stalking is a crime?
Yes, it is.
Stabbing someone is as well, last time I checked.
stalking is fun, as long as you don't get caught.... also it never said what he stabbed the sleeping student with. i mean if it was a toothpick or a wooden spoon that wouldn't be a crime.
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