Man who shot wife to death
allegedly faked mental illness

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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

A psychologist testified yesterday that a man on trial for the fatal shotgun shooting of his wife a decade ago was faking mental illness and was not acting under extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time of the killing.

Harold Hall, a court-appointed psychologist, said William Kotis acted with self-control, preparing a multistep scheme: obtaining a gun permit, renting a car, bringing a concealed knife and shotgun, and waiting for his victim.

Kotis has admitted to killing his estranged wife, Lynn Kotis, 29, in the parking lot of her Waikiki apartment in September 1992, and is charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping and first-degree terroristic threatening.

The Circuit Court trial had been delayed at least five times because Kotis was earlier found unfit to stand trial. The trial resumed May 8 after a panel of doctors found him mentally fit to stand trial.

Hall was called by Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado to refute Kotis' insanity defense. He testified Kotis was not impaired in his cognitive abilities nor in controlling his actions and could be criminally held responsible for the murder.

At one point during Hall's testimony, Kotis interrupted loudly, "No, no, you don't know what you're talking about."

When the judge warned him about having to be removed from court, Kotis said he would leave the courtroom voluntarily and return after Hall leaves.

"He's a hired gun," Kotis said of Hall.

Trial continues Monday.