LIHUE — The man charged with second-degree murder in the May 17 stabbing death of his mother while she worked at First Hawaiian Bank on Rice Street maintained a not guilty plea Thursday in Fifth Circuit Court.
A three panel examination to determine capacity and fitness to proceed will be conducted with a hearing regarding the results of the examination scheduled for Aug. 28.
Louis Landsman, 34, is charged with one count of murder in the second degree, with the possibility of enhanced sentencing in the death of Charlene Landsman, 68, of Kapaa.
Towering above defense Attorney Melinda Mendes, Landsman appeared agitated, glancing around the courtroom as he was brought out from the holding cell at the courthouse, to go before Chief Judge Randall Valenciano for the first time.
During a bench conference between Valenciano, Mendes and Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar, Landsman asked the bailiff if he could speak. His request was denied, which resulted in Landsman kneeling, his hands clutched behind his neck.
“Why, why, why is this happening, why,” Landsman yelled, as Kollar and Mendes returned to their counsel tables.
Surrounded by three armed sheriff’s deputies, Landsman went back to the holding cell without struggle.
In accordance to the rules of the court, at Mendes’ request and under Valenciano’s direction, Landsman was excluded from the remainder of the hearing due to the disruption.
Neither Kollar or Mendes objected.
“I think in light of the information I’ve been informed of previously as well as of what occurred today, I feel I need to move for a 704 exam,” Mendes said, requesting all reports pertaining to Landsman be given to her within 10 days.
Kollar said the state had no objection to Landsman receiving an exam. As for the documents, he said he would forward them to Mendes.
Valenciano ruled the Court found due cause to proceed with an examination that will determine Landsman’s fitness to proceed and capacity to stand trial.
According to witnesses at Landsman’s preliminary hearing, the day of the killing he came into the bank where his mother worked, two times prior to the stabbing. After he left the first time, the witness stated Charlene Landsman told her co-workers to call the police if he came back. He returned, so the witness told her supervisor to call the police, but Charlene Landsman canceled the call.
He came back a third time, which is when the stabbing occurred.
Another witness said Charlene Landsman was planning on leaving Kauai this summer because she was afraid of her son.
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Bethany Freudenthal, courts, crime and county reporter, can be reached at 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com.
FHB has been on notice since at least October 2015, when a customer was attacked by a mentally ill man; a stranger who had been allowed to loiter in the Makiki branch and then attacked his target in front of bank employees and customers .
Landsman did not have to die that day.