SAN DIEGO -- An East County woman arrested for stalking and threatening actress and singer Jennifer Love Hewitt will be sent to a state psychiatric hospital instead of standing trial, a San Diego judge ruled Monday.

Judge Howard Shore ruled that Diana Napolis, 47, is incompetent to stand trial based on evaluations by two psychologists. Shore ordered the defendant committed to Patton State Hospital for up to three years. Napolis could be released earlier to stand trial if doctors decide she can understand the charges against her and help in her defense.

Napolis, who wanted to be ruled competent, protested the judge's ruling, saying psychiatrists ruled on her mental state based on the fact that she was not cooperating with her attorney, not the criminal allegations against her.

"I wasn't allowed to read the entire reports," she said. "I believe the underlying facts are mistaken."

Napolis was arrested last Nov. 26. She was charged with one count of stalking and five counts of making criminal threats. Prosecutors said she faces more than six years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors said the stalking of Love Hewitt took place last year between July 29 and Nov. 3 The criminal threats were allegedly made in October.

Love Hewitt starred in the 1998 movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer." She was recently named one of Stuff magazine's "Sexist Women in the World for 2003."