Child abuse suspect to take mental exam
HILO » A mental exam to determine whether child abuse suspect Hyacinth Poouahi is fit to stand trial for the alleged attempted murder of a 10-year-old girl was ordered yesterday by a Big Island judge.
On Feb. 7, 2005, responding to a 911 call from Poouahi, authorities found the girl, now 12, at a home south of Hilo with rotting flesh, part of her upper lip missing, broken bones and other injuries.
Poouahi was later indicted for attempted murder by omission for allegedly failing to treat the girl's injuries, as well as for related crimes.
Poouahi's attorney, Keith Shigetomi, told Judge Glen Hara that as recently as Thursday, his client reported suffering from hallucinations. She is receiving medication for depression and is seeking state disability payments, Shigetomi said.
Deputy Prosecutor Rick Damerville said Poouahi has "been under treatment for a period of years."
A panel of three psychological professionals will report to the court by May 22. They will each have to read about a thousand pages of documents on the case in order to prepare their reports, Damerville noted.
The order for a mental examination came in the midst of prolonged jury selection for the case. In the first round, which began Feb. 26, 65 people passed preliminary screening as possible jurors.
But 65 was not considered enough to result in a final selection of 12 jurors and four alternates.
Judge Hara ordered another 360 potential jurors to report for continued selection on April 2. What will happen to the various people in various stages of selection is now uncertain. Hara consulted with attorneys but did not immediately decide on a course of action.
He could keep all prospective jurors on hold, transfer them to a different case or dismiss them.
The reports of the psychologists could also create delay. If all three agree Poouahi is fit to proceed, or not fit, a decision by Hara will be easy. But if the professionals disagree, another hearing will probably be scheduled after May 22, possibly resulting in significant further delay.
In the meantime, Poouahi is free on $28,000 bail. Her alleged victim continues to recover.
