Judge OKs forced injection of suspected Tantalus killer
Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario ordered yesterday that Hawaii State Hospital staff can forcibly administer antipsychotic medication to a 25-year-old man accused of killing three people on Tantalus two years ago.
Deputy Attorney General Dudley Akama sought the order due to comments from Adam Mau-Goffredo's doctor, who is "afraid because of his (Mau-Goffredo's) affect and demeanor, he could strike out at any time."
Mau-Goffredo's doctors say he is refusing medication at the hospital because of his mental illness. "We're trying to restore him," Akama said after the hearing.
The order means the hospital staff can inject Mau-Goffredo with the medication against his will if he refuses to take oral medication, Akama said.
Mau-Goffredo was committed to the hospital in the latter part of February after he was deemed unfit for trial. He has a medical history of paranoid schizophrenia.
Del Rosario is expected to receive an update on the status of Mau-Goffredo to determine whether he is fit for trial.
In court yesterday, defense attorney Brook Hart said he had discussed the matter with Mau-Goffredo's mother, Lynette Mau, who agreed that antipsychotic medication is necessary to deal with the potential danger he poses to himself and others and to help him reach a level of competence to cooperate with the defense.
Mau-Goffredo is accused of fatally shooting taxicab driver Manh The Nguyen, 50, after he drove him to a Tantalus lookout on July 6, 2006. Also shot and killed were Jason and Colleen Takamori, both 53, who had gone to the lookout to take scenic pictures.
After the fatal shootings, he allegedly forced his way into the Round Top Drive home of Joe and Francine Gedan. He fled in the couple's Jaguar after he bound the Gedans and their housekeeper at gunpoint. Police arrested Mau-Goffredo at a checkpoint on Tantalus Drive.