Accused murderer
declared not fit for trial

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Star-Bulletin staff

A woman accused of stabbing her husband to death at their Waianae home in February has been declared unfit to stand trial for second-degree murder.

District Court Judge Russell Blair yesterday found Catherine Nakamura, 68, unfit to assist in her defense based on the unanimous findings of three doctors.

The state did not object to the doctors' findings.

Nakamura, who has a history of mental illness, is charged with fatally stabbing her husband, George, 68, a former city construction inspector, at their Waianae home in February 2001.

Deputy Public Defender Todd Eddins said Nakamura has been diagnosed in the past with paranoid schizophrenia and has been hospitalized because of it.

Nakamura has been held at the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua and will be transferred to the Hawaii State Hospital for treatment.

Another fitness hearing is set for March 5.

If Nakamura is still found unfit at that time, the charge could be dismissed.