A state judge found Benjamin Davis not guilty by reason of insanity of attempted murder yesterday in the unprovoked stabbing of two hikers at the top of Koko Crater Trail just over a year ago.

Circuit Judge Michael Town then ordered Davis into the custody of the state health director so he can receive mental health treatment at the Hawaii State Hospital.

Davis, 20, told three court-appointed mental health experts he stabbed Guy Tanaka and Nicholas Iwamoto Feb. 1, 2009, because he believed they were working for the government to kill him.

The experts said Davis was suffering from a paranoid psychosis at the time. Davis is now taking antipsychotic medication.

Davis faced his victims in court yesterday and apologized for stabbing them.

“;I know I can't take back the pain and grief that I cause each of you,”; he said. “;But I hope that someday you'll find it in your hearts to forgive me.”;

  Koko Head Stabber Found Not Guilty

 

Stabbing of two innocent hikers on Koko Head Crater ended with the defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity.

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His uncle Henry Alalamua also apologized to Tanaka, Iwamoto and Iwamoto's family on behalf of Davis' family.

Tanaka, 56, who suffered a single stab wound to his back, accepted Davis' apology and shook his hand.

“;Benjamin, I don't have any animosity against you,”; Tanaka said.

He also told Davis he hopes he continues to take his medication and get better.

Iwamoto, 24, was not as forgiving.

“;You ruined my life,”; he told Davis. “;I am angry. … There's no way to express how angry I am.”;

Davis stabbed Iwamoto 18 times including in his liver, diaphragm, temple artery, jugular vein and left lung, and he lost five pints of blood.

Iwamoto said some of his injuries will never heal and that he will experience pain for the rest of his life. He wears a neck brace and is hoping the vertebrae there will fuse together.

As Davis was stabbing him, Iwamoto said, he begged for mercy, but Davis told him to shut up and that he was going to die. Davis continued stabbing Iwamoto, then threw him 100 feet down the side of the crater.

After the verdict, Iwamoto said the conclusion of the case is a big relief, and he believes it is a miracle that he is still alive. But he said he worries for his safety and that of others should Davis be released from the State Hospital.

He also said he was happy to meet Tanaka, whom he called a blood brother since both were stabbed with the same knife.