Baby’s alleged killer could face trial as adult
By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com
KAILUA-KONA » County prosecutors are seeking to try as an adult a 16-year-old girl suspected of stabbing to death her 4-month-old son.
Judge Aley Auna made reference to the motion yesterday during a status hearing yesterday in Kona Family Court.
The court will probably need two more weeks to determine whether the girl will be released pending trial or will continue to be held for her own welfare. Still more time will be needed to determine if she will be tried as an adult.
Police arrested the girl for second-degree murder Oct. 12 following a 911 call to authorities saying the baby had been accidentally stabbed. Police said the baby had suffered a stabbing and cutting wound in the neck.
Auna said the Queen's Medical Center, where the girl is being held, is still conducting a psychological assessment of the teenager. That will be finished by the end of this week, but a written report will not be ready until the end of next week, Auna said.
The judge set another hearing for Nov. 1, but that may be postponed until the following the week because of the lack of the assessment report. The assessment will deal only with whether the girl needs supervision.
During the assessment, mental health professionals may not question the girl about the alleged crime, but they may use any information they have about it to make a recommendation on the appropriate place to hold her and what treatment she may need, Auna said.
The girl may be sent to Hale Hoomalu, a state juvenile detention center on Oahu.
Auna said a separate mental evaluation will be needed to determine if the girl is fit to stand trial, but that cannot be done until the process of determining where she will be held is completed.