Judge Grants Request for Mental Exam For Keaka Martin

A District Court judge today granted a motion for a mental evaluation for Keaka Daniel Martin, the Hilo man accused of shooting two police officers.

The ruling by Judge David Kuwahara on a request from Martin’s attorney, Steve Strauss, delayed Martin’s preliminary hearing until at least 1:30 p.m. on March 12, when the results of the exam will be delivered.

Deputy Prosecutor Mike Kagami opposed Strauss’ request, saying that Martin’s mental capacity should instead be an issue addressed at trial.

Strauss responded that his motion was based on conservations he has had with his client, and deals with his client’s fitness as it applies to moving forward with the legal proceedings.

“This is not even borderline,” he told the judge.

The portion of the motion detailing Strauss’ arguments has been sealed.

Martin, 31, walked into court today under his own power.

During his previous court appearance on Jan. 11, Martin was sitting in a wheelchair pushed by a sheriff’s deputy.

Martin is recovering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest he sustained as police arrived to arrest him at a Panaewa home on Jan. 3, the day after he allegedly shot two officers in a parking lot off Kilauea Avenue.

The officers, both of whom were shot in their lower extremities, are recovering from their wounds.

Martin has been charged with nine offenses including two counts of first-degree attempted murder, crimes which carry a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.

Martin continues to be held without bail.