LIHUE — The defendant accused of damaging doors and windows of multiple Kukui Grove Center stores last December was given a good progress report from her treatment team Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court. Judge Kathleen Watanabe said she was pleased
LIHUE — The defendant accused of damaging doors and windows of multiple Kukui Grove Center stores last December was given a good progress report from her treatment team Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe said she was pleased with a report from the treating physician of Patricia Lewis, 31, of Lihue, who appeared by video from Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health Center at Ewa Beach. The judge congratulated Lewis on her progress.
The court granted an oral motion from State Deputy Public Defender Samuel Jajich to have Lewis undergo a second, three-panel examination. The issue is to determine if Lewis is restorable for fitness.
The issue of Lewis’ state of mind at the time of the offense was established in the first examination, Jajich said. The second examination is to determine if the defendant is fit to proceed. County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ramsey Ross said the state did not object to the second evaluation. The court set the hearing on the reports for July 23.
Lewis was ordered to the Hawaii State Hospital at a March 18 hearing, after the court heard concerns from her attorney about her deteriorating condition at Kauai Community Correctional Center. She had already been transferred to Oahu Correctional Center prior to the hearing after refusing to appear at court hearings.
The court found Lewis unfit to proceed to trial after reviewing reports at an April 16 hearing. Doctors assessed her condition as symptomatic but improving, and the May 1 trial date was taken off calendar in lieu of a 60-day review hearing.
Lewis replied from the hospital that she was cognizant of her situation and understood her legal standing. She wanted to return to Kauai to continue with her case.
Lewis allegedly used a bat to smash an ATM machine at the American Savings Bank within the mall on Dec. 20.
Damage included a glass door at Longs Drugs and a glass window at Jamba Juice, before she was confronted by police near Starbucks, where she was disarmed and arrested. There were no injuries reported.
Lewis is charged with second-degree criminal property damage, a class C felony; third-degree criminal property damage, a misdemeanor; and attempted first-degree criminal property damage, a class B felony.
